In a striking development regarding the high-profile death case of former actor-model Twisha Sharma, the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday imposed a stay on the trial proceedings before a Bhopal sessions court until further orders. The SC’s move came while it considered a plea seeking to transfer the case to Delhi to ensure a fair and an impartial trial.

The case was being heard by an SC bench headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. The apex court granted the opposing parties time to file their responses to the transfer petition, which was filed by Twisha’s father and complainant, Navnidhi Sharma.

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh High Court (HC) shall hear the bail plea of Giribala Singh, Twisha’s mother-in-law, on October 26 at 10:30 am. The hearing, scheduled to take place on Friday, could not proceed as the HC wanted to examine the top court’s order.

SC’s order delays bail hearing

Senior advocate Surendra Singh said the apex court had issued notices to the accused while staying the trial proceedings in Bhopal. The top court intervened as the transfer petition seeking to move the trial outside Madhya Pradesh was taken up for consideration.

Singh further clarified that the SC had not stayed the hearing on Giribala Singh’s bail application. However, the HC judge wanted to examine the apex court’s order before proceedings with arguments, resulting in the matter being listed for October 26.

He added that no arguments were advanced on the bail plea on Friday.

CBI revises charges, defence amends bail plea

In a parallel development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has been probing the case, made several changes in the chargesheet filed by it. As per the chargesheet, the agency dropped the dowry death charge under Section 80(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and included a charge of abetment of suicide under Section 108.

Post-revision, Giribala’s counsel sought permission to amend her bail plea to reflect the updated charges. A single-judge bench of the HC allowed the amendment, paving the way for the arguments to be made on the revised allegations.

Details of the Twisha Sharma case

Twisha Sharma (33), was found hanging at her marital home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on June 12 this year. She got married to Samarth Singh on December 9, 2025.

Following her death, her kin accused Samarth and his mother Giribala of subjecting her to dowry-related harassment and mental cruelty. Initially, a case was registered against Samarth Singh and his mother, Giribala, under provisions pertaining to dowry death, cruelty and the Dowry Prohibition Act.

HC cancels anticipatory bail

A Bhopal district court had earlier granted anticipatory bail to Giribala Singh on June 15. Following this, Twisha’s kin and the state government challenged the order before the Madhya Pradesh HC, which later cancelled her anticipatory bail on June 27. Subsequently, the mother-son duo was taken into custody for interrogation.