A key development in the death investigation of former model-actor Twisha Sharma occurred on Saturday when a Bhopal court remanded her husband and prime accused, Samarth Singh, to seven days in police custody. The court also ordered him to surrender his passport while expressing concern that he may try to evade the investigation. Police had earlier issued a lookout notice for him and offered a bounty of Rs 30,000 for information leading to his arrest.
“In this case, the Court has granted a 7-day remand of Samarth Singh. We will investigate, and as we examine everything, things will become clearer," ANI quoted ACP Rajnish Kashyap.
Samarth Singh, a lawyer by profession, had reportedly been missing since May 12, the day Sharma was found dead at her in-laws' residence in Bhopal. He was arrested on Friday as he was presented before the Jabalpur District Court, where he intended to surrender; however, the police stated he was not allowed to do so by the court, and Bhopal police had him arrested from there with the help of a Jabalpur team.
At the hearing on Saturday, the prosecution requested a seven-day remand for questioning in connection with spot verification, recovery of material and evidence, and reconstruction of the incident. The court was informed that Singh had allegedly been on the run for close to 10 days, and police intended to know about his whereabouts during that time, his contacts, and if anyone aided him in evading arrest.
Twisha Sharma's family, represented by advocate Ankur Pandey, pleaded in court that custodial interrogation was a must to connect the chain of evidence in the case. According to Sharma's family, the investigation could not be taken forward properly without a detailed custodial interrogation of the accused.
Sanjay Kumar, the Bhopal Police Commissioner, on Saturday stated that police were seeking a complete 7-day remand of the accused and warned of legal action against anyone providing him shelter. “First, we will get his medical done and file a PR (Personal Recognisance Bond) from the Court. We will ask for 7 days' remand,” he said.
The defence, however, contested the demand. Adv Enos George Carlo, Samarth Singh's counsel, pointed out that police had already recovered all the required papers and documents and had the material evidence on them. Carlo claimed that the police did not need more than a day for the custody. "There is no need for 7 days' custody," he stated.
The court, however, ruled in favour of the prosecution and granted the police seven days' custody. This move is being seen as a significant development as allegations of investigation lapse, delay in arrest, and potential use of influence due to the father's background persist.