The Supreme Court has observed that the probe into the alleged dowry death of former model and actor Twisha Sharma would be entrusted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), while urging the media to exercise restraint in reporting statements and allegations connected with the case.
The matter came up before a Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, which was informed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the Madhya Pradesh government had already recommended transfer of the investigation to the CBI. The Court was further apprised that the necessary administrative formalities for handing over the case to the central agency would be completed at the earliest.
During the hearing, the apex court stressed the importance of an impartial and transparent investigation, noting that the matter had attracted considerable public attention and extensive media coverage. The Bench observed that transfer of the case to an independent investigating agency would help ensure credibility and maintain public confidence in the investigative process.
Expressing concern over media reporting of statements made by the victim’s family, the accused, and other persons connected to the matter, the Court requested media houses to refrain from publishing material capable of influencing the investigation. The Bench remarked that parallel narratives in the public domain could potentially prejudice the inquiry and interfere with the administration of justice.
The Court also advised both sides to cooperate with the investigating agency and place their respective versions before the authorities concerned instead of engaging in public discourse through television interviews and social media platforms.
The proceedings arise from the death of Twisha Sharma, who was found dead at her matrimonial home in Bhopal earlier this month amid allegations of dowry harassment and procedural irregularities in the initial police investigation.
The Supreme Court had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of the matter under the caption In Re: Alleged Institutional Bias and Procedural Discrepancies in the Unnatural Death of a Young Woman at her Matrimonial Home. The Court also took note of the fact that a second post-mortem examination had been conducted by a medical board constituted at AIIMS pursuant to earlier judicial directions.
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