Five months ago, Noida resident Twisha Sharma from Uttar Pradesh married Bhopal-based lawyer Samarth Singh. On the night of Tuesday, May 12, her family was informed of her death. The unexpected passing of their 33-year-old daughter has sparked questions and accusations that she faced mental harassment from her in-laws.
Twisha’s family states that she phoned her mother at 10:05 pm on the night of the incident and recounted what had happened to her. During the call, Twisha reportedly revealed the harassment she had been enduring at her marital home.
Twisha's brother, Indian Army officer Major Harshit Sharma, said, "In the middle of our conversation, she suddenly ended the call when her husband walked into the room." He added, "After that, our family repeatedly tried to reach her, Samarth, and her mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, but none of them answered."
Ten minutes later, at 10:15 pm, Giribala Singh picked up the call. Twisha’s family urged her to check on their daughter right away. About five minutes after that, at 10:20 pm, the family was told that Twisha was “not breathing.” She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival. The family claims there was a delay in providing medical care, even though the hospital was only a 10-minute distance away.
"They reportedly reached the hospital only around 11:30 pm," Major Sharma added.
Major Sharma alleges that his sister endured psychological abuse and domestic violence, and that she was coerced into terminating her pregnancy."During her pregnancy, my sister had expressed her desire to continue and bear the child. However, she was allegedly subjected to severe pressure and coercion by her husband and in-laws to terminate the pregnancy. Her character was repeatedly questioned, and allegations were made that the child was illegitimate. Under sustained mental pressure and family coercion, the pregnancy was medically terminated," he said.
The harassment, however, intensified.
The family has alleged that she also faced dowry-related harassment and was coerced into transferring shares and investments worth Rs 20 lakh—gifts from her father—to her husband and in-laws.
According to the short post-mortem report, Twisha died due to "antemortem hanging by ligature," indicating she was alive when hanged. The report also mentions "multiple antemortem injuries" (wounds, bruises before death) over other parts of the body.
The report revealed that the medical termination of pregnancy was performed a week before.
Viscera (internal organs of the body such as the stomach, liver, intestines, heart, and kidneys) and blood samples have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL) to test for toxic substances.
Nail samples have been preserved for DNA analysis.
Cellotape and clothes have also been sealed and handed to the police for examination. While uterus has been preserved for histopathological examination.
The family fears tampering with evidence and that the investigation may be influenced as Twisha's mother-in-law is a retired judge and husband is a practicing lawyer. Therefore, they have called to seal the matrimonial house.
The police have registered a first information report (FIR) against Samarth Singh under charges of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide. Twisha's mother-in-law Giribala Singh has also been named as one of the accused in the case.
