The Supreme Court on Monday noted that a decision on handing over the probe into the death of model-actor Twisha Sharma to the Central Bureau of Investigation would be taken shortly, after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court on the issue, before disposing of the suo motu case, as per PTI.
Hearing the matter, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the parties were at liberty to seek legal remedies before the appropriate forum.
The apex court stressed the need for a fair and impartial investigation into the sensational case and urged both parties as well as the media to exercise restraint while commenting publicly on the matter.
Meanwhile, a team of the CBI has been dispatched to Bhopal to take over the investigation. The agency is expected to formally assume charge of the investigation and collect relevant documents and evidence from the local police, they added.
“Don’t go for the statements of the victim's family or the other family. Otherwise, one section is saying the judiciary is not allowing a fair trial. We have no doubt over our state agencies or CBI. It’s only because a kind of narrative is being created. We will ensure that the unfortunate incident that took place is fairly and impartially investigated,” the CJI said, as per the PTI report.
The court also observed that the matter should proceed strictly in accordance with law and procedure.
“We are in pain because of some of the actions. Let things move as per law and procedure,” the bench said.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Mehta remarked, “It is better to have a divorced daughter than face such an unfortunate incident.”
The apex court also appreciated the prompt intervention by the Madhya Pradesh High Court in ordering a second autopsy in the case.
Counsel appearing for one of the accused also assured the court that a former judge linked to the matter would refrain from making statements to the media regarding the ongoing probe.
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The case has drawn widespread public attention and intense media scrutiny in recent weeks, prompting the top court to restrain potential witnesses and accused from giving statements to the media.
Sharma, 33, was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12. Her family has accused her in-laws of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide, while her in-laws have claimed she suffered from drug addiction.
Police have registered an FIR against Sharma’s husband Samarth Singh, a lawyer, and her mother-in-law Giribala Singh, a former district judge, on charges of dowry harassment.
