She took drugs, had mood swings: Mother-in-law of Noida woman found dead in Bhopal

Giribala Singh, the mother-in-law of Twisha Sharma – the 31-year-old woman from Noida who was found dead at her in-laws’ home in Bhopal on May 12 – has moved a bail plea in court. She has presented her version of events and alleged that her daughter-in-law was addicted to drugs and struggled to adjust to her marital home.

Following Twisha Sharma's death, her family accused Giribala Singh and her family of subjecting their daughter to domestic violence, mental harassment and physical assault. Twisha's father and other family members staged a sit-in outside Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's residence on Sunday, demanding justice.

In her bail application filed on Monday, Giribala Singh, retired judge at Bhopal district court, claimed Twisha’s dependence on narcotic substances and her emotional distress played a role in the events leading up to her death. Twisha Sharma was pregnant at the time of her death.

In the bail application, Giribala Singh said Twisha died by suicide around 10 pm on May 12, alleging that she hanged herself from iron rods on the terrace of the family residence.

She stated that Twisha had married her son, Samarth Singh, on December 9, 2025, after the match was arranged through a matrimonial website.

The marriage was solemnised in Delhi, and Twisha subsequently moved to Bhopal after leaving her earlier life in Noida.

'TWISHA'S BEHAVIOUR CHANGED'

The application states that before marriage, Twisha had worked as a film actress and model and had appeared in Telugu and other regional films, along with advertisements.

It also mentions that she was employed with a private company in Delhi and continued to work from home after marriage.

Giribala Singh alleged that soon after Twisha began living with the family, they noticed behaviour that raised suspicion of substance abuse.

According to the plea, Twisha visited her parents' home and other places five times between December 2025 and May 2026.

During these periods, the family allegedly observed symptoms including trembling hands, irritability and sudden mood swings, which Giribala claimed were signs of withdrawal when Twisha was unable to consume drugs.

The application further states that when the issue was discussed with Twisha’s father, he allegedly acknowledged that she consumed such substances.

Giribala also told the court that the situation escalated after Twisha learnt she was pregnant on April 17 during a hospital visit in Bhopal.

She claimed Twisha’s behaviour changed significantly after the pregnancy was confirmed and that she appeared distressed.

According to the plea, after returning from the hospital, Twisha packed her belongings and told the family she wanted to return to Noida, saying she could no longer continue the role of a homemaker.

The application says Twisha left Bhopal the same day and reached Delhi by air on April 18.

Giribala alleged that Twisha did not go directly home after landing and did not explain the delay in reaching her residence, a detail cited by the defence to question her movements and state of mind before her death.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST GIRIBALA SINGH, FAMILY

The claims made in the bail plea come amid serious allegations from Twisha’s family, who have accused her husband and in-laws of prolonged mental and physical abuse.

Her relatives have alleged that she was pressured over employment after marriage and over her pregnancy, and have questioned the police investigation, demanding a second post-mortem and a court-monitored probe.

Twisha’s family has also alleged foul play, claiming injury marks were found on her body and evidence may have been destroyed.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by Madhya Pradesh Police is probing the death and related allegations.

While Giribala Singh has now placed her defence on record through the bail application, the case remains under investigation, with legal proceedings against the husband and in-laws expected to continue as police examine both families’ claims.

- Ends