'2 days, 2 hours, and 20 minutes': Twisha Sharma's mother-in-law claims discrepancy in DVR contents, flags doctored WhatsApp text

BHOPAL: Former district judge Giribala Singh, mother-in-law of deceased Noida resident Twisha Sharma, has moved to a magistrate court in Bhopal alleging discrepancies in CCTV footage seized by police and claiming that WhatsApp chats linked to the case were being doctored to manipulate public perception.In an application filed before a Judicial Magistrate First Class court on Thursday, Giribala Singh claimed that the timestamps in footage recorded by eight CCTV cameras installed at her Katara Hills residence showed a discrepancy of “two days, two hours, and 20 minutes” because the system had not been regularly serviced by a private maintenance firm.The plea stated that the discrepancy had created confusion surrounding the investigation into the death of 33-year-old Twisha Sharma, who was found hanging at her marital home on May 12. Giribala Singh requested the court to direct the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to reopen the seized Digital Video Recorder (DVR) in the presence of independent witnesses and formally record its contents.She further alleged that while seizing the DVR, police failed to detail the recorded footage in the seizure memo. The application urged the court to ensure proper documentation of the electronic evidence.Giribala Singh also sought preservation of electronic devices belonging to Twisha’s relatives that allegedly contain her WhatsApp conversations.

According to the plea, “doctored” text exchanges were being circulated by the deceased woman’s family to shape the narrative around the case.The court move came on the same day Bhopal police issued a “third and final notice” to Giribala Singh asking her to record her statement in the alleged dowry death case. Investigators said that if she continued to avoid cooperating with the probe, they may move court seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail earlier granted to her.Authorities are also examining whether Giribala Singh can continue as president of the Bhopal district consumer disputes redressal commission while facing investigation in the case. The state government has reportedly sought clarification from the MP Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on the issue.Meanwhile, Twisha’s husband Samarth Singh, who remains absconding, has again approached the Madhya Pradesh high court seeking anticipatory bail after his earlier plea was rejected by a Bhopal sessions court.

Twisha’s father Navnidhi Sharma has separately moved the high court seeking cancellation of Giribala Singh’s bail.Police commissioner Sanjay Kumar said previous notices could not be served directly because Giribala Singh was not present at her residence. The latest notice was eventually sent to her through WhatsApp.Defence counsel Mrigendra Singh maintained that Twisha Sharma had made no allegations against her husband or mother-in-law before her death and left behind no suicide note, accusing her family of “spreading canards”.Twisha Sharma’s family has accused her in-laws of dowry harassment and driving her to death, while the Singh family has alleged that she struggled with drug addiction.Police registered an FIR under Sections 80(2), 85 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita along with relevant provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act against Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh. Authorities have also announced a cash reward for information leading to Samarth Singh’s arrest and moved court seeking revocation of his passport.(With PTI inputs)