8 days since death, why Twisha Sharma's body is still in a morgue

It's been eight days since Twisha Sharma's death, but her body still lies inside the cold confines of an AIIMS Bhopal mortuary. Her parents are refusing to cremate the 33-year-old former Miss Pune and marketing professional until they get what they call a "fair and independent" investigation into her death.

What police in Madhya Pradesh are treating as a case of suicide has now snowballed into a disturbing battle involving allegations of dowry harassment, evidence tampering, and political influence.

Twisha's parents have been demanding a second post-mortem examination at AIIMS New Delhi. After days of the demand being raised, Bhopal Commissioner of Police Sanjay Kumar on Wednesday said they had no objection to a second post-mortem of Twisha Sharma's body.

However, a Bhopal court on Wednesday rejected the plea for a second post-mortem.

While rejecting the application seeking a fresh autopsy and forensic analysis, the court raised serious concerns over the preservation of Twisha Sharma's body. AIIMS Bhopal, where her body is kept, doesn't have facilities for preservation for a longer duration.

The case began with the discovery of Twisha hanging from a gymnastic ring rope at her marital home in Bhopal on May 12. After they camped for days in Bhopal demanding justice, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday met her parents and promised a fair probe into the case.

So, why is Twisha Sharma's body still in the morgue even after eight days of her death, which the police called "suicide"?

WHY IS TWISHA SHARMA'S BODY STILL IN THE MORGUE?

Twisha Sharma's family has categorically refused to take custody of her body.

Her parents and brother, who serves in the Indian Army, have demanded a second post-mortem, preferably at AIIMS New Delhi. They alleged that the initial autopsy in Bhopal, where Twisha Sharma's family said the in-laws has immense influence, was compromised and incomplete.

According to reports, the family suspects foul play and has alleged that Twisha was subjected to dowry harassment, physical abuse and mental torture after her marriage to Bhopal-based lawyer Samarth Singh just five months ago.

Samarth Singh, meanwhile, is on the run and Bhopal Police has announced a cash reward of Rs 10,000 for any information leading to his arrest.

The police in Bhopal had said that they had written to the family urging them to take custody of the body, warning that prolonged preservation could lead to decomposition.

In their communication, the police reportedly said that the body was being stored at minus 4 degrees Celsius at AIIMS Bhopal, while long-term preservation would require facilities maintaining temperatures close to minus 80 degrees. This is unavailable in Bhopal AIIMS, reported The Times of India.

For the family, however, Twisha's body seems to have become potential evidence. They say the body itself has become the last remaining evidence of the alleged atrocities of the in-laws. The case is being mishandled, the family claims.

WHAT DID TWISHA SHARMA'S FIRST POST-MORTEM YIELD?

The first autopsy conducted at AIIMS Bhopal concluded that Twisha died due to "antemortem hanging by ligature". Doctors noted a double reddish ligature mark around the neck and signs consistent with asphyxia, including facial congestion and petechial haemorrhages.

In simple terms, the autopsy said Twisha appeared to have died from hanging, with marks and internal signs showing lack of oxygen and pressure around the neck before death.

But some media reports also suggested multiple blunt-force injuries across the body, including bruises on the arms, forearm, fingers and scalp. The findings added fuel to the family's suspicion that the death might not have been a straightforward suicide.

The autopsy further mentioned that Twisha had undergone a medical termination of pregnancy just a week earlier. Toxicology and DNA samples have been preserved for further examination.

The family claims these injuries were not adequately investigated and that the report was released despite missing crucial forensic evidence.

WHY IS THE LIGATURE MATERIAL NOW A BIG QUESTION?

One of the biggest controversies in the case revolves around the alleged ligature used in the hanging. A ligature is something used to bind, tie, or connect.

Initially, police claimed Twisha used a nylon belt.

However, according to a report in The Indian Express, the AIIMS post-mortem report specifically recorded that the investigating officer failed to produce the alleged ligature material during the autopsy examination. As a result, forensic experts could not establish a scientific correlation between the injuries on the neck and the alleged hanging material.

Later, an exercise resistance band was reportedly recovered from the terrace where Twisha was found hanging. Twisha's family has alleged this as a major lapse in evidence handling.

Her father, Navnidhi Sharma, told media outlets that "without even submitting the ligature, the postmortem report was released", questioning how an ordinary middle-class family could hope for justice in such circumstances.

WHAT ARE TWISHA SHARMA'S FAMILY SAYING?

The Sharma family has alleged that Twisha faced sustained harassment after marriage over dowry-related issues. They claim she had shared WhatsApp messages describing emotional distress and abuse at her in-laws in Bhopal.

The family has also accused the in-laws of "using influence to manipulate the investigation". Twisha's mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, is a retired judge. They also claimed that Giribala Singh still serves in the consumer courts, reported Crime Tak, India Today Digital's sister portal.

Twisha's father further alleged a direct link between the accused and a senior official. He said, "Satyendra Singh, the Head of the Bhopal Lokayukta Police, is a relative of Giribala Singh. Consequently, the police are under immense pressure to shield these individuals".

The family moved court seeking a second autopsy and demanding either a CBI enquiry or a Supreme Court-monitored probe.

Hours after meeting Madhya Pradesh CM Yadav, they approached the Governor of the state seeking intervention in the investigation of her death.

Police have registered a case under dowry harassment provisions and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT). A lookout notice has also been issued for Twisha's husband, Samarth Singh.

At the same time, Twisha's in-laws have denied wrongdoing and claimed that Twisha had mental health issues, used cannabis and took impulsive decisions.

As the legal proceeding drags on, Twisha Sharma's body remains inside the AIIMS Bhopal mortuary. Twisha's family is fighting for justice. In most cases, funerals or cremations bring closure. Here, the delay in cremation has become a protest. Eight days later, Twisha Sharma's body still lies in a morgue. So does the truth.

- Ends