MP High Court Cancels Anticipatory Bail of Consumer Commission Chairperson in Daughter-in-Law’s Dowry Death Case

May 28, 2026 : The Madhya Pradesh High Court has cancelled the anticipatory bail granted to retired judge and current Chairperson of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Bhopal, Giribala Singh, in connection with the alleged dowry death of her daughter-in-law, Twisha Sharma.

A single-judge Bench of Justice Devnarayan Mishra on Wednesday set aside the May 15, 2026 order of the 10th Additional Sessions Judge, Bhopal, observing that the grant of pre-arrest protection warranted interference considering the seriousness of the allegations and the material collected during investigation.

The case arises from FIR No. RC0522026S0004 registered under Sections 80(2), 85 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, following the death of Twisha Sharma at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12, 2026.

The High Court noted that statements recorded from the deceased’s family members contained specific allegations not only against her husband, Samarth Singh, but also against Giribala Singh. The Court further took note of WhatsApp messages allegedly sent by the deceased before her death, which were relied upon by the prosecution to indicate harassment and domestic abuse.

Referring to the post-mortem report, the Court observed that the cause of death was found to be ante-mortem hanging by ligature. However, it also recorded the presence of multiple ante-mortem injuries on different parts of the body, including the left arm and head. According to the Court, forensic findings suggested that these injuries were not caused during post-death handling or shifting of the body, thereby strengthening the prosecution case at the prima facie stage.

The Court criticised the sessions court for granting anticipatory bail in what it described as a hurried manner without adequately examining the factual background and evidentiary material placed before it. Consequently, the High Court quashed the bail order and restored the possibility of custodial interrogation during the course of investigation.

Twisha Sharma, a resident of Noida, had married Bhopal-based lawyer Samarth Singh around five months before her death. The couple had reportedly met through a dating application. She was found dead at her residence on May 12, after which a case was registered at Katara Hills police station.

The prosecution alleged that Sharma had been subjected to sustained domestic violence and dowry-related harassment by her husband and his family members. Challenging the grant of anticipatory bail, the State of Madhya Pradesh and the deceased’s father argued that the lower court had failed to properly appreciate the gravity of the allegations and the evidence available on record.

During the proceedings, the State and the complainant also raised objections over public statements and media interactions allegedly made by the accused, contending that such conduct could influence witnesses and affect the investigation.

Opposing the plea for cancellation of bail, the defence argued that there were no specific allegations justifying custodial interrogation and highlighted the age and professional background of the accused. It was also submitted that media statements were made only in response to public scrutiny and were not intended to interfere with the investigation.

After hearing all parties, the High Court held that the requirements for grant of anticipatory bail were not satisfied and allowed the revision petition, thereby cancelling the protection from arrest granted to Giribala Singh.