Nearly 12 days after actor-model Twisha Sharma was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills, her body was finally handed over to her kin on Sunday after the Madhya Pradesh High Court (HC) ordered a second post-mortem. Post the second autopsy, her family received her body and cremated her later on Sunday evening at the Bhadbhada Vishram Ghat (crematorium) in the city. A specialised medical team from AIIMS Delhi led Twisha’s second post-mortem.

Family had refused to accept her body without second autopsy

Amid mounting allegations of death due to dowry harassment and procedural lapses in the probe, Sharma’s family had earlier declined to receive her body until another detailed forensic evaluation was conducted. They raised numerous objections regarding the first autopsy, claiming several crucial aspects were either overlooked or were examined inadequately.

They also voiced concerns over blunt force injuries on her body and the lack of radiological examination of the neck, as well as cervical structures.

Following the family’s plea, the MP HC gave nod to a second autopsy and ordered that an independent medical team be constituted for the same. Advocate Ankur Pandey, who was present with a technical team at AIIMS Bhopal, said the autopsy process came to an end at around 3:40 pm.

Twisha's husband and mother-in-law (Left) and Twisha Sharma (Right)

Dowry harassment allegations under probe

Sharma, a resident of Noida, had got married to an advocate named Samarth Singh four months ago. Her family has alleged that she was subjected to severe mental and physical harassment linked to dowry demands. Both her husband, Samarth, and her mother-in-law Giribala Singh have been named as accused in the case.

Case draws national attention, SC to hear matter tomorrow

The case rapidly snowballed into one of the country’s most discussed criminal investigations in recent weeks, with growing calls for transparency and accountability. Earlier, the National Commission for Women (NCW) had also taken suo motu cognisance of the incident, and had sought a detailed report from all the authorities concerned.

The Supreme Court shall hear the case tomorrow, which cited procedural discrepancies and concerns regarding institutional bias. A bench led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant will hear the case.