The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken a significant step in the high-profile death of 33-year-old actor and model Twisha Sharma, arresting her mother-in-law, Giribala Singh. The arrest follows a decision by the Madhya Pradesh High Court to revoke the retired judge’s anticipatory bail, citing a failure by lower courts to properly consider critical evidence and witness statements. This development marks a major shift in the investigation, which was recently transferred to federal authorities.

Twisha Sharma was found dead in her Bhopal home on May 12, just five months after marrying lawyer Samarth Singh. Her family has leveled serious accusations against both her husband and mother-in-law, alleging a pattern of systematic torture and harassment linked to dowry demands. Furthermore, the victim’s family claims that the couple forced her to terminate a pregnancy after making unfounded allegations of infidelity. The accused have consistently denied these claims, asserting that the victim suffered from mental health struggles and died by suicide.

This case has reignited a national conversation regarding the prevalence of dowry-related violence in India, a practice that remains a persistent issue despite being legally banned decades ago. The prominence of the individuals involved—a former beauty pageant winner and a family of legal professionals—has intensified public scrutiny. With Samarth Singh already in custody following his arrest in late May, the investigation continues to probe the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death, including allegations of a flawed initial autopsy that prompted the family to demand a second examination.