Twisha Sharma's autopsy raises more questions, family demands second post mortem

Twisha Sharma's post-mortem recorded double ligature marks as her family sought a fresh autopsy at AIIMS Delhi. The finding has deepened questions over the probe amid allegations of dowry harassment and investigative lapses.

In Short

• Death cause confirmed as ante-mortem hanging, indicating she was alive
• Family demands second autopsy at AIIMS, citing probe inconsistencies
• Husband absconding; special team investigating dowry death charges

The post-mortem report of 31-year-old Twisha Sharma, the daughter-in-law of a retired judge who was found dead at her marital home in Bhopal earlier this month, has revealed the presence of two distinct hanging marks on her neck, even as police maintained that the case was one of suicide.

According to findings from the autopsy report, Twisha’s neck bore two parallel marks caused by pressure from the hanging material used in the incident. The marks, each around 2 cm wide, were described as reddish-patterned abrasions running upward across both sides of the neck and located above the thyroid region. Doctors also noted congestion and blood infiltration in the neck tissues.

The report concluded that the cause of death appeared to be “asphyxia as a result of ante-mortem hanging”, indicating that she was alive at the time of hanging.

However, the mention of double hanging marks has intensified questions raised by Twisha’s family, which has been demanding a second post-mortem examination at AIIMS Delhi, alleging inconsistencies in the probe and possible suppression of evidence.

Speaking to India Today TV, Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said the investigation was proceeding from the angle of suicide and insisted there was no pressure on the police.

“Twisha died by suicide. The post-mortem report mentions ante-mortem hanging. We are investigating the circumstances under which she took the step,” Kumar said.

He also rejected allegations of delay in police action, saying an FIR had been registered within two days despite police headquarters guidelines allowing up to a month in such cases.

Addressing questions surrounding the hanging material, Kumar said the ligature material – the object allegedly used for hanging – had been seized by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team and was later provided to AIIMS after the autopsy.

“We are separately investigating why that happened. However, the report of the ligature material has also come, and it matches the post-mortem findings,” he said.

Kumar added that police had no objection to a second autopsy if permitted by the court.

Twisha, a resident of Noida, had married advocate Samarth Singh in December 2025. She was found dead on May 12 at her marital home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area. Police later registered a case against her husband and mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, under charges of dowry death and harassment.

Her family has alleged dowry harassment, physical assault and destruction of evidence, while also questioning why some injury marks allegedly visible on her body were not fully reflected in the post-mortem findings.

Police said teams were continuing efforts to trace Samarth Singh, who remains absconding.

“Sometimes even major criminals are caught quickly while smaller accused take time, but our teams are working and Samarth will soon be arrested,” the police commissioner said. The case is currently being investigated by a Special Investigation Team.

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Inputs from Ravish Pal Singh