Twisha death case: Retired judge Giribala Singh arrested by CBI

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested retired Bhopal district judge Giribala Singh on Thursday, May 28, 2026, in connection with the dowry harassment and death case of Twisha Sharma. The arrest followed a decision by the Madhya Pradesh High Court to reject the anticipatory bail that a local court had previously granted Ms. Singh on May 15.

Before the arrest, CBI officers questioned Ms. Singh for six hours at her Bhopal residence, where they also conducted an investigation and recreated the crime scene. The agency’s Chief Information Officer, Beena Yadav, confirmed the arrest and the ongoing proceedings.

High Court Quashes Anticipatory Bail

The single Bench of Justice Devnarayan Mishra issued the order to quash the bail after hearing petitions from the State Government and Navnidhi Sharma, the father of the deceased. The court noted that the trial court failed to consider allegations presented by the victim’s family when granting the initial bail.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the manner in which the bail was obtained created doubt regarding the trial court’s process. He further alleged that Ms. Singh showed no remorse and flouted the law by making press conferences and allegations against the deceased after being granted bail.

Did You Know? The post-mortem report revealed that while death was due to antemortem hanging, there were six other injuries on the body, including four on the left arm, one on the ring finger, and one antemortem head injury.

Forensic Evidence and Allegations of Tampering

The High Court highlighted that the injuries found on Twisha Sharma’s body were not caused by the process of removing the body from the ligature or transporting it to the hospital. These findings led the victim’s family to reiterate their claims that their daughter was killed.

Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra alleged that Ms. Singh utilized professional skills acquired during her judicial tenure to tamper with the crime scene. He noted her training in Special Courses on Cyber Crimes, Cyber Forensic & Digital Signature Technology, and Crime Scene Management.

Deputy Solicitor General Suyash Mohan Guru pointed to a “mystery revolving around the death” and the possible involvement of influential accused parties. He noted that Rajbala Singh Bhadoriya, a private doctor and sister of Ms. Singh, was present during the first autopsy at AIIMS Bhopal on May 13.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter observes that the intersection of judicial influence and forensic evidence creates a high-stakes legal battle. The allegation that professional expertise in crime scene management was used to obstruct justice could significantly shift the weight of the prosecution’s case.

Legal Charges and Future Proceedings

Ms. Singh faces charges under Sections 80(2), 85, and 3(5) of the BNS, 2023, as well as Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. Her son, Samarth Singh, a lawyer and the husband of Twisha Sharma, is already in CBI custody.

BREAKING NEWS: CBI arrests Twisha's mother-in-law, Giribala Singh | Twisha Sharma death case

The CBI is expected to produce Giribala Singh before a local court on Friday, May 29, 2026, to seek her custody. A possible next step involves the agency confronting the mother and son with each other’s statements to interrogate them on the circumstances of the death.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was retired judge Giribala Singh arrested?
She was arrested by the CBI in the Twisha Sharma dowry harassment and death case after the Madhya Pradesh High Court quashed her anticipatory bail.

What did the medical reports indicate about the death?
The post-mortem report indicated death by antemortem hanging, but also identified six other injuries—including a head injury—that were not caused by moving the body or hospital transport.

What are the specific allegations regarding the crime scene?
It has been alleged that Ms. Singh used her specialized training in crime scene management and cyber forensics to tamper with the evidence and the scene of the crime.

How should the legal system ensure impartiality when the accused is a former member of the judiciary?