Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of Twisha Sharma Dowry Death Case; CJI Surya Kant Bench To Hear On May 25

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged dowry death of Twisha Sharma, registering a case titled ‘In Re Alleged Institutional Bias and Procedural Discrepancies in the Unnatural Death of a Young Woman at a Matrimonial Home’. The Top Court's decision comes amid growing public scrutiny over the investigation and judicial handling of the case.

The matter is now listed before a Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, which will consider the case on Monday. The apex court’s intervention signalled the gravity with which the judiciary is viewing concerns around institutional lapses and procedural gaps in probes involving matrimonial deaths.

The case has remained in national focus for weeks, with Republic TV running a continuous campaign seeking justice for the victim, Twisha Sharma. The Republic Media Network’s coverage has outlined alleged delays and inconsistencies in the probe, amplifying calls for accountability.

Apex Court Steps In Amidst Alleged Bias And Lapses

The SC registered a suo motu case ‘In Re Alleged Institutional Bias and Procedural Discrepancies in the Unnatural Death of a Young Woman at a Matrimonial Home’. The title of the proceedings itself reflected the Court’s concern about systemic issues that may have affected the investigation into Twisha’s death at her matrimonial home.

A Bench led by CJI Surya Kant will consider the matter on Monday. The listing before the Chief Justice’s Bench explained the institutional priority being accorded to the case, which has triggered concerns on how dowry-related deaths are investigated and prosecuted across the country.

The legal observers noted that suo motu cognisance in such matters is rare and typically follows either larger public concern or apparent judicial inconsistencies that warrant the Supreme Court’s direct oversight.

The Supreme Court’s intervention followed sustained media attention, with Republic TV’s continuous campaign for justice to the victim in the Twisha Sharma death case keeping the matter in public discourse. The network has aired a series of reports questioning the pace of the investigation and demanding transparency from the concerned authorities. The campaign segments have featured interviews with legal experts, women’s rights activists, and family members, pressing for a time-bound and impartial probe. 

The Supreme Court, by framing the suo motu case around ‘institutional bias and procedural discrepancies’, has broadened the scope beyond one incident to examine systemic practices. The outcome could influence the police and lower courts handle evidence, witness protection, and timelines in similar cases. The Bench’s hearing on Monday is expected to seek responses from concerned authorities and may set down guidelines to address perceived gaps. 

Family Raises Murder Allegations

The sudden death, which was initially treated as a suspected suicide, has taken a turn after Twisha Sharma’s family alleged she was killed at her matrimonial home. The doubts around the cause of death intensified when her husband, Samarth Singh, absconded shortly after the incident. The 33-year-old actress and former Miss Pune was reportedly discovered hanging from the rooftop of the couple’s Bhopal residence, barely 5 months into their marriage.

The relatives have drawn attention to several injuries on Twisha’s body, claiming that those were inconsistent with suicide and instead point to foul play. They further alleged that Twisha had recently terminated a pregnancy after Samarth questioned the child’s paternity and accused her of having an extramarital relationship. The claims have fuelled suspicion that domestic discord may have preceded her death.

Bar Council Suspends Lawyer Husband

Following the serious accusations and the registration of criminal proceedings, the Bar Council of India has suspended Samarth Singh’s licence to practise with immediate effect. The BCI said that the interim order was necessary in the interest of the legal profession and to maintain public confidence, given that the advocate is the deceased’s husband and faces grave allegations.

The suspension bars Samarth from appearing, pleading, filing a vakalatnama, or representing himself as an advocate before any court, tribunal, authority, or forum in India. “In view of the seriousness of the allegations, the role of Advocate in killing his wife… Samarth Singh… is hereby suspended from practice as an advocate with immediate effect, pending further consideration,” the Council noted in its order.

Court Orders Second Autopsy Amid ‘Judicial Cover-Up’ Claims

Amid concerns over forensic gaps in the initial report, the Jabalpur High Court on Friday directed a second post-mortem. Justice Avnindra Kumar Singh ordered that a specialist team constituted by the Director of AIIMS Delhi conduct the procedure in Bhopal. The court instructed that Twisha’s body be preserved at minus 80 degrees Celsius until the autopsy, and mandated full videography of the process to form part of the final report.

As per claims, suspicion of interference grew after it emerged that Samarth’s mother, former judge Giri Bala Singh, had contacted several influential people shortly after Twisha’s death, prompting allegations of a “judicial cover-up”. The police, who now have Samarth in custody for 7 days after he surrendered in Jabalpur following 10 days on the run, say he is not cooperating with the investigation.