Samarth Singh, the absconding husband of former model-turned-actor Twisha Sharma, has moved the Jabalpur High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the alleged dowry harassment case. The court is expected to hear the matter soon. Earlier, a district court in Bhopal had rejected his anticipatory bail plea.
Meanwhile, Bhopal Police have increased the reward for information leading to Samarth Singh’s arrest from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 as efforts to trace him continue.
According to a proclamation issued by Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar, the earlier reward announced by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 02) was cancelled after the accused remained untraceable. The Police Commissioner later approved a higher reward amount to speed up the search operation.
Police said six teams are currently working to locate Samarth Singh, and authorities are also taking steps to issue a Look Out Circular (LOC) against him.
Twisha Sharma, who was originally from Noida, was found dead at her in-laws’ house in Bhopal on the night of May 12. While her husband’s family claimed it was a case of suicide, Twisha’s family accused them of dowry harassment and murder.
An FIR has been filed against Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh under Sections 80(2), 85 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.
According to Twisha’s family, she had made distress calls shortly before her death, but the calls suddenly disconnected after her husband allegedly entered the room. They also alleged that her body had bruises and injury marks, raising suspicion of physical assault.
However, Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said the evidence collected so far, including the post-mortem report, suggests it was a suicide and not murder.
“Based on the post-mortem findings and the evidence gathered till now, it appears to be a case of suicide, not murder,” he said.
Police also clarified that no evidence of drug consumption was found during the autopsy. This contradicted earlier claims made by Giribala Singh, who had alleged that Twisha was addicted to marijuana.
Earlier, a magistrate court rejected Samarth Singh’s anticipatory bail plea but granted relief to his mother Giribala Singh, a retired district sessions judge.
In another development, the Madhya Pradesh government has started proceedings to remove Giribala Singh from her post as President of the District Consumer Forum. The Food Supply Department has sought an inquiry under Rule 9(2) of the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020, considering the seriousness of the allegations against her.
Twisha’s parents had also demanded a second post-mortem and a fresh investigation, alleging possible influence over the first autopsy process. However, the local court rejected the request.
Amid rising public outrage over the case, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that the state government would recommend a CBI probe into Twisha Sharma’s death.