BHOPAL: The death of Twisha Sharma has triggered a fresh round of allegations between her family and in-laws, with both sides making conflicting claims about the circumstances leading up to her death on May 12.
At a press conference, Twisha’s brother Major Harshit Sharma questioned the police response and alleged influence in the case.
“We are here to question the process. The first call made to the police was made by us, not by them. They claimed that they were in a hurry trying to save her. However, the video that has resurfaced clearly shows Girbala Singh moving around very calmly, walking up and down the stairs as if she had all the time in the world," Harshit said.
"Being fully aware of the judicial system, she had complete access and the ability to call the police station, which was only 30 seconds away from her home. Why did she not make that call? It took us more than three days to get the FIR registered. Our FIR was finally lodged on the 15th at 2:30 in the morning," he added further.
"Even before that, their anticipatory bail application had already been filed. It all appears to be a well-orchestrated effort from their side.
The fact that she was granted bail on the grounds that she is a 63-year-old woman of repute and considered a non-threat does not justify her actions, which clearly reflect the opposite of how she is being portrayed," he added further.
"A so-called ‘non-threat’ is sending people to threaten my 61-year-old father inside the court premises. A ‘non-threat’ is sending people to threaten my family, saying that 30 men would beat us up. How is a 63-year-old threatening a 61-year-old justified? Who gave her the authority to make such remarks about my deceased sister? Why are we not asking where
Samarth Singh is? Why is he absconding? Why are these questions not being asked? Why are they not asking for a second post-mortem?” he said.
Twisha’s father Navnidhi Sharma also urged focus on the judicial process, alleging influence and bias.
“Please focus on the judicial process. Justice is not being delivered because these are very influential people. Yesterday, even the police admitted in court that these people are highly influential and should not be granted bail. On that basis, the son’s bail was cancelled, yet another accused is roaming around freely after getting anticipatory bail. At the same time, the deceased girl is being openly blamed and defamed. This in itself is a legal offence. The media should take cognisance of this on its own. Before asking such questions, think ten times about what the victim’s family must be going through when her character is being assassinated in this manner.”
The case took another turn after Twisha’s mother-in-law, retired judge Giribala Singh, alleged that her behaviour changed after pregnancy and that she was adamant about terminating it.
"Within 5 months, I realised that she held quite liberal views... on the 17th, the moment she received confirmation of her pregnancy, her entire demeanour changed; she declared that she did not want to keep this child. That very evening, when I returned home from the office, I saw that she was in a terrible state; she was physically beating herself. She kept crying out, 'I cannot go on living like this!'. I told her, 'If you truly wish to leave, we can arrange your ticket for tomorrow so you may depart with dignity'.
"We do not know where she had gone in the night... I also asked her mother. She also said that she does not know about this... She acts entirely on her own whims, taking steps that are completely reckless and impulsive... Following that incident, her mother came here on the 23rd. She didn't even stay; she simply said she would return on the 30th when Samarth arrives... On the 30th, she returned and once again became adamant about going to the hospital to undergo an MTP (Medical Termination of Pregnancy)..."
Speaking to ANI, she further said her son was under emotional distress after the abortion.
"Regarding Samarth, boys often aren't able to express their emotions through tears... My son is suffering because right from the very beginning, her behaviour was like that... he tried, but there was absolutely no sign of improvement. "
"There wasn't such a fight. But after this MTP, a sense of distress inevitably settles in one's mind... her stubbornness and her insistence that 'you cannot control me'. if there are two conflicting voices within someone's mind, then what conclusion would you draw?... Samarth will appear. However, he also possesses the right to protect his own liberty... It is essentially a case that warrants dismissal, and one in which we should actually be the ones receiving public sympathy," she added further.
Naturally, he will exercise his rights to the fullest extent, and his legal counsel will undoubtedly strive to advocate for him effectively," she said.
Responding to the remarks, the victim’s father rejected the allegations and accused the in-laws of defaming the deceased.
"This woman is currently out on anticipatory bail, and she is violating the conditions of that bail. She is violating the law by coming before the media and, in this manner, publicly maligning the character of the deceased, making all sorts of baseless allegations. Now is the time to secure justice for our daughter; it has been so many days since her passing and our daughter's body is still awaiting a second post-mortem examination (PM-2)," he said.
"The process is now being deliberately delayed so that they can tamper with the evidence individuals occupying such high-ranking positions in the structure of the judiciary are effectively making a mockery of that very institution... We have no backing or influence... particularly following the granting of anticipatory bail, the issue of tampering with evidence now appears to be glaringly evident," he added further.