The mother-in-law of actress Twisha Sharma alleged in a bail application that the deceased was a drug addict and mentally distressed [1].

These claims emerge as a legal defense against accusations of murder and dowry harassment filed by Sharma's family following her death on May 12, 2026 [1], [2]. The case has sparked a public dispute over the cause of death and the character of the individuals involved.

Twisha Sharma, 33, was found dead by hanging at her marital home in the Katara Hills area of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh [2], [3]. Following the incident, her family accused her husband, Samarth Singh, and her in-laws of harassment. However, Giribala Singh, a retired judge and the mother-in-law, has presented a different account in her legal filings.

"She was a drug addict and was mentally disturbed," Singh said [1].

Singh said that Sharma was undergoing psychiatric treatment and struggled with addiction [3]. This narrative is intended to counter the dowry charges brought by the victim's family. Singh said to Moneycontrol that the family did not harass Sharma for money, stating, "We provided Rs 50,000 regularly to her" [2].

The allegations have led to a sharp divide between the two families. While Singh uses these claims to seek bail, Sharma's father has countered with his own allegations, claiming that the son-in-law, Samarth Singh, is the one struggling with drug addiction [4].

There is also a significant contradiction regarding the nature of the death. While some reports treat the incident as a suicide by hanging [1], [5], Sharma's family has alleged murder and is demanding a fresh post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death [4].

The legal proceedings continue as the court evaluates the bail plea and the evidence regarding the mental health and substance use claims made by the retired judge [1].

“"She was a drug addict and was mentally disturbed," Singh said.”

The introduction of drug addiction and mental health claims into a dowry harassment case often serves as a legal strategy to shift the narrative from criminal coercion to a narrative of suicide driven by personal instability. Because the accused is a retired judge, the case highlights a clash between professional legal standing and the serious allegations of domestic violence and murder raised by the victim's family.