Twisha Sharma case: 'Better to have divorced daughter than a dead one', says solicitor general in SC
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday restrained potential witnesses and the accused in the Twisha Sharma death case from making statements to the media, expressing concern that public commentary could prejudice the ongoing investigation into the actor-model’s death in Bhopal earlier this month.
Disposing of the suo motu proceedings initiated over alleged institutional bias and procedural discrepancies in the probe, the bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said parties were free to seek remedies before the appropriate legal forum. The court also recorded the assurance of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that a decision regarding a CBI investigation would be taken shortly.
In its order, the apex court observed that family members of both the victim and the accused should record their versions before the investigating agency instead of speaking publicly or appearing on media platforms, so that no adverse impact is caused to the investigation.
The bench repeatedly voiced concern during the hearing over statements being made in television interviews and media interactions by both sides. Chief Justice Kant said the court was “slightly at pain because of some of the actions” and urged restraint, emphasising that the investigation must proceed “fairly, independently and impartially.”
Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for the accused, submitted that statements recorded under Section 161 of the CrPC had appeared in newspapers the very next day. Solicitor General Mehta, appearing for the Madhya Pradesh government, alleged that the accused’s mother, a former district judge, had been “hopping from channel to channel almost maligning the deceased.”
Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Twisha Sharma’s family, alleged lapses in the initial probe, including delay in registration of the FIR and failure to preserve evidence.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Mehta also remarked that “it is better to have a divorced daughter than face such an unfortunate incident.”
The legal proceedings in the Twisha Sharma death case have now reached the Supreme Court, which has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter under the title, In Re Alleged Institutional Bias and Procedural Discrepancies in the Unnatural Death of a Young Woman at Matrimonial Home.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant is hearing the case amid allegations by the victim’s family of procedural lapses and institutional bias in the initial investigation into the 26-year-old actor-model’s death in Bhopal earlier this month.
Speaking after the cremation on Sunday, Twisha’s father Navnidhi Sharma welcomed the apex court’s intervention, describing it as a crucial step toward ensuring accountability in the case. “We do not know how we will live without her. I thank everyone who supported us. She will get justice. This case will become an example and restore people’s faith in the judicial process. I thank the Supreme Court for taking suo motu cognisance of the matter,” he said.
Twisha Sharma’s last rites were performed at a crematorium in Bhopal by her brother, Major Harshit Sharma, after her mortal remains were handed over to the family following a second autopsy conducted by a medical board from AIIMS Delhi.
The family had earlier refused to accept the body and demanded an independent post-mortem examination, alleging inconsistencies in the initial autopsy and raising questions over the circumstances surrounding her death at her matrimonial home.
Disposing of the suo motu proceedings initiated over alleged institutional bias and procedural discrepancies in the probe, the bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said parties were free to seek remedies before the appropriate legal forum. The court also recorded the assurance of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that a decision regarding a CBI investigation would be taken shortly.
In its order, the apex court observed that family members of both the victim and the accused should record their versions before the investigating agency instead of speaking publicly or appearing on media platforms, so that no adverse impact is caused to the investigation.
The bench repeatedly voiced concern during the hearing over statements being made in television interviews and media interactions by both sides. Chief Justice Kant said the court was “slightly at pain because of some of the actions” and urged restraint, emphasising that the investigation must proceed “fairly, independently and impartially.”
Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for the accused, submitted that statements recorded under Section 161 of the CrPC had appeared in newspapers the very next day. Solicitor General Mehta, appearing for the Madhya Pradesh government, alleged that the accused’s mother, a former district judge, had been “hopping from channel to channel almost maligning the deceased.”
Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Twisha Sharma’s family, alleged lapses in the initial probe, including delay in registration of the FIR and failure to preserve evidence.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Mehta also remarked that “it is better to have a divorced daughter than face such an unfortunate incident.”
The legal proceedings in the Twisha Sharma death case have now reached the Supreme Court, which has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter under the title, In Re Alleged Institutional Bias and Procedural Discrepancies in the Unnatural Death of a Young Woman at Matrimonial Home.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant is hearing the case amid allegations by the victim’s family of procedural lapses and institutional bias in the initial investigation into the 26-year-old actor-model’s death in Bhopal earlier this month.
Speaking after the cremation on Sunday, Twisha’s father Navnidhi Sharma welcomed the apex court’s intervention, describing it as a crucial step toward ensuring accountability in the case. “We do not know how we will live without her. I thank everyone who supported us. She will get justice. This case will become an example and restore people’s faith in the judicial process. I thank the Supreme Court for taking suo motu cognisance of the matter,” he said.
Twisha Sharma’s last rites were performed at a crematorium in Bhopal by her brother, Major Harshit Sharma, after her mortal remains were handed over to the family following a second autopsy conducted by a medical board from AIIMS Delhi.
The family had earlier refused to accept the body and demanded an independent post-mortem examination, alleging inconsistencies in the initial autopsy and raising questions over the circumstances surrounding her death at her matrimonial home.
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