In the Indian city of Pune, charges have been filed against the husband and mother-in-law of a woman who died. The case has sparked widespread public interest, as society expects exemplary conduct from members of the judiciary. Twisha Sharma's parents and relatives accused her husband and mother-in-law of subjecting her to dowry-related harassment and murder. However, her mother-in-law Giribala dismissed the allegations as "baseless," claiming Twisha had mental health issues and died by suicide.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a 600-page chargesheet to the court, stating that "due to continuous mental cruelty at the hands of both the accused, she was left with no option but to end her life." The CBI has also sought permission for further investigation. Twisha's family lawyer Ankur Pandey told BBC Hindi that the investigation has treated the death as an alleged suicide, and if new evidence emerges, additional people may be investigated.
Giribala Singh's lawyer Inosh George Carlo told the BBC that the investigation found no evidence of dowry harassment or murder, reiterating their stance from the beginning. Twisha, a former model and actress, was crowned Miss Pune in 2012, appeared in advertising campaigns, acted in a Telugu film, and worked as a marketing professional.
According to the chargesheet, Twisha met Samarth on a dating app in February 2025 and they married in December. The CBI's investigation revealed that after marriage, Samarth subjected Twisha to mental cruelty and used derogatory language, with Giribala instigating him. Twisha's family alleged that during her pregnancy, the couple questioned her character and forced her to have an abortion in early May. Giribala denied this, claiming Twisha insisted on the abortion.
After Twisha's death, Giribala, a former judge, faced criticism for discussing her daughter-in-law's mental health in a press conference and calling her "liberal," which she later linked to "promiscuity." Twisha's father condemned these remarks as an attempt to tarnish his daughter's name.