The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the death of 32-year-old actor-model Twisha Sharma, amid allegations of institutional bias, procedural irregularities, and possible lapses in the investigation.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed 'pain' over some actions taken in the case and requested the media not to record statements of the victim's family to avoid further pain.
The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the apex court that the CBI would take over the probe, assuring that administrative steps would be taken today itself.
Twisha Sharma was found dead at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12, barely five months after her wedding, with her family accusing her husband and his mother of dowry harassment, mental and physical torture, and murder.
The case has drawn national attention following allegations of delays in registering the FIR, inconsistencies in the initial post-mortem examination, and claims of influence in the probe.
The investigation is currently being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), but the Madhya Pradesh government has sought cancellation of the anticipatory bail granted to Giribala, Twisha's mother-in-law.
Twisha's husband, Samarth Singh, has been remanded to seven days of police custody in connection with offences relating to dowry death and harassment.
