Police in Bhopal, India, have charged a lawyer and his mother with dowry harassment and abetment to suicide following the death of Twisha Sharma.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of dowry-related violence in India, where legal professionals and former judges are now facing criminal charges.
Twisha Sharma, 33 [1], was found dead by hanging at her marital home in the Katara Hills area on May 12, 2024 [1], [2]. Following the discovery, police registered a case against her husband, Samarth Singh, and his mother, Giribala Singh, who is a retired judge [2].
Meenakshi, the cousin of the deceased, said that Sharma had been subjected to harassment. During an interview, Meenakshi said, "She lost 15 kg, was being harassed" [1]. The reported weight loss of 15 kg [1] is cited as evidence of the mental and physical distress Sharma faced before her death.
The family of the deceased has described the husband's character in stark terms. Sharma's father said, "He is a wolf in sheep's clothing" [3].
Authorities are now taking active measures to apprehend Samarth Singh. A police spokesperson said a Rs 10,000 bounty [2] has been placed on Singh's head, and his passport will be cancelled [2]. This move indicates the police believe there is a risk of the suspect fleeing the jurisdiction.
The investigation continues to examine the pressure placed on Sharma by her husband and mother-in-law, which the family alleges led to her suicide [2], [3].
“"She lost 15 kg, was being harassed."”
This case underscores the persistence of dowry harassment in urban India, even among the educated professional class. The involvement of a lawyer and a retired judge as the accused suggests that social status and legal expertise do not insulate individuals from the systemic pressures of dowry demands or the subsequent criminal investigations when such pressures lead to tragedy.
