THE Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested retired judge Giribala Singh on Thursday in connection with the suspicious death of Twisha Sharma. This significant development occurred a day after the Madhya Pradesh High Court cancelled her anticipatory bail, effectively removing her protection from arrest. The investigation into the case, which involves serious allegations of dowry harassment and mental torture, has now entered a more intensive phase. A team from the central agency reached the residence of the accused in the Bag Mughaliya extension area of Bhopal around 10:30 am on Thursday. After approximately six and a half hours of detailed questioning, she was taken into custody by 5 pm. Following the arrest, the CBI team escorted her to a guest house located within the MANIT campus in Bhopal, which has been established as a temporary camp office for the ongoing probe. The agency is expected to produce her before a court on Friday to seek custodial remand for further interrogation. The legal action follows a 17-page order issued by the Jabalpur High Court on Wednesday, which quashed the anticipatory bail previously granted to the accused. In its ruling, the court observed that given the gravity of the allegations, the available evidence, and the current status of the investigation, granting protection from arrest was not justified.

 

Giribala Singh faces grave charges under the BNS, including dowry death and cruelty to a woman, along with provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The investigation is being conducted with a focus on scientific evidence and digital trails. On Thursday, CBI officials performed extensive forensic mapping at the residence, utilising high-intensity 3D camera systems to conduct a 360-degree recording of the entire premises. This mapping is intended to verify the sequence of events and determine the visibility of the alleged scene of occurrence from neighbouring terraces and balconies. Furthermore, investigators are analysing call detail records and mobile numbers that were active in the area on the night of May 12 to strengthen the digital evidence collection process. The husband of the deceased, Samarth Singh, who was previously arrested, remains in CBI custody until May 29. The agency intends to facilitate custodial interrogation by confronting both accused with their statements to piece together the sequence of events leading to the death on May 12. Reacting to the arrest of the former judge, Navnidhi Sharma, the father of the deceased, stated that the development marks a crucial step toward justice, noting that the sequence of events serves as a testament to the consequences of actions.