Bhopal | May 29: In a major development in the sensational death case of actor and model Twisha Sharma, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested her mother-in-law, retired judge Giribala Singh, amid mounting allegations of dowry harassment and murder.

The arrest comes days after the Madhya Pradesh High Court cancelled Giribala Singh’s anticipatory bail, observing that crucial evidence and witness statements had allegedly been overlooked by the lower court while granting relief.

Twisha Sharma, 33, a former beauty pageant winner and television actor, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12, barely five months after marrying lawyer Samarth Singh.

The tragic death triggered nationwide outrage and intense media scrutiny, with Twisha’s family accusing her husband and mother-in-law of prolonged physical and mental torture linked to dowry demands.

According to Twisha’s parents, harassment allegedly began soon after the marriage. They further claimed that when Twisha became pregnant, her husband and mother-in-law accused her of infidelity and pressured her into terminating the pregnancy.

Both Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh have strongly denied the allegations. The family has maintained that Twisha was suffering from mental health issues and died by suicide. They also asserted that the decision to terminate the pregnancy was taken voluntarily by her.

Initially investigated by local police, the case was later handed over to the CBI following public pressure and allegations of irregularities in the probe.

Samarth Singh is presently in police custody after being arrested in Jabalpur on May 22. Reports stated that he had allegedly gone into hiding after Twisha’s death.

Meanwhile, controversy also surrounded the post-mortem examination. Twisha’s family alleged that the first autopsy was flawed and accused authorities of attempting a cover-up — allegations denied by the police. Following legal intervention and public outcry, a second autopsy was conducted before Twisha was cremated on Sunday.

The case has become one of the most talked-about criminal investigations in recent weeks, highlighting continuing concerns over dowry-related violence and the treatment of women within marital homes in India.