New Delhi/Bhopal, May 28: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested retired judge Giribala Singh, the mother-in-law of Twisha Sharma, in connection with the alleged dowry death case of the 33-year-old former actor-model who was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal earlier this month.

CBI officials reached Giribala Singh’s residence in Bhopal at around 10:30 am and questioned her for several hours before formally arresting her at approximately 5:10 pm.

During the investigation, the agency also conducted a detailed forensic examination of the house using a high-intensity 3D camera. Officials recorded the entire premises and scanned nearby terraces and balconies to examine visibility around the alleged spot of the incident.

Giribala Singh has been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 80(2) related to dowry death, Section 85 for cruelty by husband or relatives, and Section 3(5) dealing with acts committed with common intention. She also faces charges under Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.

The arrest came a day after the Madhya Pradesh High Court cancelled the anticipatory bail granted to Giribala Singh by a Bhopal sessions court on May 15.

Speaking on the development, Madhya Pradesh Advocate General Prashant Singh said the High Court had taken serious note of several aspects of the case, including seven ante-mortem injuries found on Twisha Sharma’s body, alleged non-cooperation by Giribala Singh despite repeated notices, and WhatsApp chats suggesting mental harassment.

“The High Court has taken serious note of certain observations in the case, like seven ante-mortem injuries on the body of Twisha Sharma indicating a serious crime, non-cooperation by Giribala Singh despite several notices and WhatsApp chats indicating mental harassment of Twisha Sharma,” the Advocate General said.

During the hearing, lawyers representing Twisha Sharma’s family argued that she had allegedly faced sustained mental harassment and was “badly stuck” in her matrimonial home.

The High Court also observed that statements recorded from Twisha’s parents and relatives consistently alleged harassment by both her husband Samarth Singh and mother-in-law Giribala Singh from the very beginning of the investigation.

Also Read: ‘I Am Trapped’: Final Messages Surface In Twisha Sharma Death Probe, Retired Judge’s Family Under Scanner

The court further took note of allegations that Giribala Singh, being a retired judicial officer trained in cyber crime, cyber forensics and crime scene management, may have used her expertise to tamper with evidence and influence the investigation.

Twisha Sharma was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12. The case initially began as a local police investigation before being handed over to the CBI earlier this week.

The CBI formally re-registered the FIR filed by Bhopal Police against Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh after taking over the probe on Monday.

According to the CBI FIR, Giribala Singh had allegedly demanded Rs 2 lakh from Twisha’s family during her vidai ceremony, which was reportedly paid by the victim’s family.

Meanwhile, Samarth Singh, Twisha’s husband and a practising lawyer, had surrendered before a court last week after allegedly remaining absconding for around 10 days.