Judge recuses from Giribala Singh bail plea in Twisha Sharma case

Bhopal, July 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) A special CBI court in Bhopal on Friday recused itself from hearing the regular bail application of district judge Giribala Singh, an accused in the CBI‑investigated Twisha Sharma dowry death case, after the presiding judge disclosed that she had earlier undergone judicial training under the accused.

The bail application was subsequently transferred to the court of the Special Judge (Lokayukta), where detailed arguments were heard from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the defence and the counsel representing the victim’s family. The court reserved its order and is expected to pronounce it on Saturday.

At the outset of the proceedings, the Special CBI Judge informed the parties that she had received judicial training under Giribala Singh when the latter was serving as an Additional District and Sessions Judge in Gwalior. Stating that she was recusing herself to avoid any perception of bias, the judge declined to hear the matter.

Seeking regular bail, the defence argued that Singh was suffering from health issues while in judicial custody and needed to look after her 100‑year‑old mother. It also submitted that she had cooperated with the investigation and had not attempted to evade the legal process.

The defence further contended that Singh, a serving judicial officer drawing a regular salary and a war widow pension, was financially secure and, therefore, the allegation of dowry demand was improbable.

Opposing the plea, the CBI submitted that the seriousness of the allegations did not warrant the grant of bail. It argued that neither the accused’s gender nor her financial status could be treated as grounds for release. The agency also relied on the jail medical report, stating that Singh’s health condition was stable, and alleged that she had not cooperated fully with the investigation, including refusing to provide her voice sample.

Counsel for Twisha Sharma’s family also opposed the bail application, alleging that the accused had attempted to interfere with the investigation by contacting persons linked to CCTV footage and other evidence.

“The investigation is at a crucial stage, and there is a reasonable apprehension that, if released on bail, the accused may influence witnesses or tamper with evidence,” advocate Anurag Pandey, counsel for Twisha Sharma’s family, told IANS after the hearing.

Twisha Sharma, a 33‑year‑old former actor and corporate professional, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her matrimonial home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12, less than six months after her marriage to advocate Samarth Singh (Giribala’s son). Her family alleged that she was subjected to persistent dowry harassment and cruelty by her husband and mother‑in‑law, Giribala Singh, a retired district judge.

Following allegations of lapses in the initial police investigation, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered a CBI probe into the case. The central agency later arrested Giribala Singh after the High Court set aside the anticipatory bail granted to her.

Source: IANS