Twisha death probe deepens with digital reconstruction

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday produced actress and model Twisha Sharma’s husband, Samarth Singh, and mother-in-law, retired judge Giribala Singh, before a special court in connection with the actress’s death. The agency sought five days of police remand for each accused, a request that was approved by the court. Notably, the defence did not oppose the remand plea.

In its submission, the CBI informed the court that both accused had failed to cooperate fully with the investigation and that significant contradictions had emerged in their statements. Investigators argued that custodial interrogation was necessary to confront the two with each other’s versions and gather crucial evidence related to the case.

Samarth Singh had already been under seven days of CBI custody. Following the expiry of his remand on Friday, he was produced before the court again, where proceedings lasted for nearly 90 minutes before both accused were taken back by the investigating team.

According to sources, the CBI plans to conduct face-to-face questioning of Samarth and Giribala Singh. Investigators are also expected to question Samarth about his whereabouts during the period he was absconding and the individuals he remained in contact with.

The agency is reportedly employing a “tunnel view investigation” approach to reconstruct Twisha Sharma’s final hours. Using CCTV footage, mobile phone data, Wi-Fi logs, call detail records, and forensic mapping of the three-storey residence, investigators are creating a virtual timeline of her movements and interactions before her death.

Sources said the CBI is also developing a digital avatar of Twisha to simulate her last known movements within the house. The reconstruction is expected to help identify inconsistencies in witness statements, suspicious activity, and possible gaps in the sequence of events.

Investigators are simultaneously examining call records, tower location data, and digital evidence to determine who was contacted on the night of the incident and whether the crime scene was altered after her death.

Twisha’s family immersed her ashes in the Ganga at Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh on Friday, performing the last rites according to traditional rituals.

The CBI formally registered an FIR in the case on May 25 and arrested Giribala Singh on May 28 after more than seven hours of questioning at her residence. During the investigation, officials reportedly found indications suggesting possible tampering with evidence.

The probe has also uncovered financial and domestic abuse allegations. Investigators learned that Twisha had investments worth around Rs 20 lakh in shares of several companies. According to her family’s legal counsel, Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh allegedly pressured her to transfer those shares in their names.

The investigation further revealed that Twisha had informed her mother about alleged dowry-related harassment and physical abuse. She reportedly claimed that both accused subjected her to mental harassment, including pressure related to having a child.