Twisha Sharma Case: A Divorce, Rs 25 Lakh & A 'Gag Order' — Giribala's First Bahu Has A Story She Can't Tell
Twisha Sharma Case: A Divorce, Rs 25 Lakh & A 'Gag Order' — Giribala's First Bahu Has A Story She Can't Tell Published By, Edited
Twisha Sharma Case: A Divorce, Rs 25 Lakh & A 'Gag Order' — Giribala's First Bahu Has A Story She Can't Tell Published By, Edited By Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 09:32 IST Giribala Singh's first daughter-in-law says she is bound by legal agreement and cannot speak. She is watching Twisha's case closely. Read on to find out what the documents reveal. Twisha Sharma Case: Inside jail, Giribala alleged, newspapers reaching inmates had all reports about her case quietly cut out. As the CBI investigation into the death of actor-model Twisha Sharma enters a critical phase, a woman who was once part of the same household at the centre of the probe is watching from the shadows — bound, she says, by a gag order that prevents her from speaking about her marriage, her former mother-in-law retired judge Giribala Singh, or the family. MoJo Story has spoken to the former daughter-in-law of Giribala Singh — the e wife of the retired judge’s elder son, Squadron Leader Siddharth Singh — but is withholding her identity due to legal sensitivities and her own stated fear of speaking publicly. Her silence, in many ways, has become the loudest signal in this already deeply layered case. The woman’s brief statement to MoJo Story was striking in its restraint: “I’m closely following Twisha’s case. But I cannot be involved unless court summons me for testimony." This comes even as a Bhopal court this week extended the judicial custody of Twisha’s husband Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh — both accused in the case — till June 30, with the CBI citing a probe still at a “crucial stage," pending AIIMS Delhi post-mortem findings, forensic analysis of digital devices, and key witness statements yet to be recorded.
Who Is This Woman, And What Do The Documents Show? According to documents accessed by MoJo Story, Giribala Singh’s elder son Squadron Leader Siddharth Singh and his then-wife were granted a mutual consent divorce in 2024, after nearly six years of marriage. The judgment notes that the couple had been living separately for almost two years, citing ideological differences as the reason for the breakdown. The court record also shows that both parties had voluntarily sought the divorce with no dispute between them — and that Siddharth had paid his former wife Rs 25 lakh as permanent alimony, after which she can make no future financial claims against him. On paper, it reads as a clean, amicable parting of ways. If The Divorce Was Amicable, Why The Gag Order? This is the central question MoJo Story raises — and it is a significant one. If the separation was mutual, if there was no dispute between the parties, and if ideological differences were cited as the only reason for the split, then why does the former daughter-in-law say she is bound by a legal agreement that prevents her from speaking publicly? Why does she fear talking about Giribala and her family even after the divorce has been settled and the alimony paid? The nature of this “understanding" — whether it forms part of the divorce settlement itself or is a separate arrangement — has not been disclosed. But the fact that she invoked it when contacted by journalists probing a suspected dowry death case raises questions that go well beyond a routine divorce proceeding. What Has The Supreme Court Said? The Supreme Court last month disposed of suo motu proceedings it had initiated over alleged institutional bias and procedural discrepancies in the Twisha Sharma investigation.
While doing so, a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant restrained family members of both the victim and the accused, as well as potential witnesses, from making statements to the media. The court directed all parties to place their versions before the investigating agency instead, to ensure the ongoing probe is not prejudiced. Crucially, the court also recorded the assurance of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that a decision on a CBI investigation would be taken shortly — a decision that has since materialised, with the CBI now in charge of the case. What Is The Status Of The CBI Probe? At the latest hearing in Bhopal, the CBI laid out the current status of its investigation through an application filed by Deputy Superintendent of Police and Investigating Officer Nishu Kushwaha Pending Element Status Second post-mortem report Awaited from AIIMS Delhi medical board Forensic reports Awaited from CFSL, Delhi (crime scene recreation + exhibits) Digital evidence analysis Imaged copies of devices under scrutiny Key witness statements Yet to be recorded, including family, relatives, friends Custodial questioning CBI reserves right to seek further interrogation The court accepted the CBI’s application and extended judicial custody of both Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh till June 30. Both appeared before the court via video conferencing from Central Jail. What Did Giribala Demand In Court? At the hearing, Giribala Singh raised several grievances — that newspapers given to her in prison had reports of her case cut out before being supplied to inmates, that the 20-minute limit for lawyer meetings was insufficient for a case of this complexity, and that she be allowed to meet her lawyers jointly with Samarth to coordinate legal strategy. Her legal team also sought directions to curb media interactions by Twisha’s family’s side.
The court made clear that jail facilities would be governed strictly by the provisions of the jail manual — no special concessions outside those rules. However, it did direct that the seizure memo relating to Twisha’s belongings be provided to the defence. Why Does The First Daughter-in-Law Matter Now? Twisha Sharma married Samarth Singh on December 9, 2025, and died less than six months later on May 12 at her matrimonial home in Bhopal. As the CBI pieces together a picture of the household and its dynamics, the former daughter-in-law of Giribala Singh — a woman who lived within that family structure for nearly six years — could, if summoned, offer testimony that no forensic report can: what it was like inside that home, and what kind of authority Giribala exercised within it. For now, she is watching. Closely. But in silence. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers,... Read More Location: Bhopal, India, India First Published: June 17, 2026, 09:32 IST News cities bhopal Twisha Sharma Case: A Divorce, Rs 25 Lakh & A 'Gag Order' — Giribala's First Bahu Has A Story She Can't Tell Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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