Bhopal: In a significant development in the actress Twisha Sharma mysterious death case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday moved an application before the Bhopal District Court seeking permission to record statements of several key witnesses. The court also ordered a safe cell for ex-judge Giribala in Bhopal Central Jail on her request.
Advocate Anurag Srivastava, who is representing late Twisha Sharma’s family in the court, told IANS that the CBI’s application covers relatives and friends of both retired Judge Giribala Singh and her son Samarth Singh.
“Those include the relatives and friends of both Giribala Singh and her son Samarth Singh,” Srivastava said, explaining that the agency wants to build a comprehensive chain of events through first-hand accounts.
During the hearing, the CBI informed the court that all digital data and material evidence seized so far has been sent for forensic examination.
The agency further submitted that once the statements of witnesses and relatives are recorded and the second post-mortem report is received, it may seek further custody of the accused mother-son duo.
“The CBI further submitted to the court that after recording the statements of all the witnesses and relatives of the accused persons, and obtaining the report of the second post-mortem, it may seek further custody of Giribala and Samarth Singh, and they will file an application accordingly,” Srivastava told IANS, detailing the agency’s road map for the probe into the suspected dowry death of the young actress.
The court, meanwhile, sent Giribala and Samarth to 14 days of judicial custody after the CBI did not press for an extension of police remand.
Immediately after the order, Giribala requested special protection inside Bhopal Central Jail.
“Giribala Singh requested that since she previously served as Principal District Judge of Bhopal District and had passed several judgments, including conviction of many accused in several cases and they are lodged in Bhopal Central Jail, therefore, she and her family may face danger in prison. She requested that she should be provided a safe place in the jail,” Srivastava said.
The court accepted her plea and directed the Bhopal Central Jail authorities to comply and ensure a secure arrangement.
With forensic results pending and witness statements yet to be recorded, the CBI said it would return to court if custodial interrogation of the accused is required again.
Both Giribala and Samarth will remain in judicial custody until then.
(IANS)
