The Bar Council of India (BCI) has directed the immediate suspension of Advocate Samarth Singh’s licence to practise law in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged dowry death of his wife, Twisha Sharma.
The disciplinary measure was initiated in exercise of the BCI’s statutory authority to regulate the legal profession, following a prima facie assessment that the allegations against Singh involved conduct of a grave nature capable of eroding public confidence in the integrity and dignity of the Bar.
In an official statement, the Council noted that the allegations against Singh relate to offences including dowry death, cruelty, and abetment of suicide under the penal law framework. The BCI also took cognisance of reports indicating that Singh had allegedly evaded arrest and failed to cooperate with the investigating authorities, circumstances which, according to the Council, justified interim suspension pending completion of the criminal investigation and disciplinary proceedings.
Singh, a graduate of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), enrolled as an advocate in 2018. He is presently under investigation in connection with an FIR registered at Katara Hills Police Station in Bhopal. The case pertains to the death of his 33-year-old wife on May 12 at their matrimonial residence in the Katara Hills locality. Twisha Sharma, a resident of Noida, had reportedly become acquainted with Singh through a dating application shortly before their marriage.
Parallel proceedings arising out of the same FIR are presently pending before the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The High Court recently permitted Singh to withdraw his anticipatory bail application, granting him liberty to surrender before the competent trial court. It has also issued notice on a plea moved by the State seeking cancellation of anticipatory bail granted to Singh’s mother, Giribala Singh, a former District Judge, who is also implicated in the case.
The family of the deceased has alleged prolonged domestic abuse and harassment, allegations which form the basis of the charges relating to dowry death. In a significant development, the High Court has permitted a second post-mortem examination and directed that the procedure be conducted by a specialised medical board constituted at AIIMS Delhi.
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