New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is examining a crucial forensic report submitted by an AIIMS Delhi medical board in the death of former model Twisha Sharma, with findings indicating that a gymnastics belt could have been used as the ligature in the incident.
The 11-page report, submitted to the CBI in a sealed cover on July 10, confirmed the presence of skin tissue on the alleged ligature material — a gymnastics belt fitted with a metal ring. According to sources as cited in an India Today report, laboratory and histopathological examinations found that the skin tissue on the belt matched the injury pattern on Twisha’s neck, potentially resolving a key forensic question in the case.
Twisha Sharma, 33, who married Samarth Singh in December last year, was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12. According to the FIR, her husband took her to AIIMS Bhopal, claiming she had died by suicide after hanging herself at home. However, hospital authorities informed the police that she had been brought dead, prompting registration of a medico-legal case.
The first post-mortem had concluded that the cause of death was “antemortem hanging by ligature” and also noted multiple antemortem injuries. However, it could not determine whether the gymnastics belt had been used as the ligature because the belt was not made available to the forensic experts during the initial examination.
Alleging lapses in the initial investigation and autopsy, Twisha’s family approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which ordered a second post-mortem by an AIIMS Delhi medical board. The High Court subsequently transferred the investigation to the CBI. The second post-mortem was conducted on May 24, with the AIIMS team also inspecting the scene as part of its scientific assessment.
Dr. Sudhir Gupta, Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS Delhi, confirmed that the report had been submitted to the CBI but declined to disclose its findings, citing judicial directions. Officials said the report has been forwarded in a sealed cover, while the videography of the second post-mortem remains with the investigating agency.
Investigators emphasised that while the forensic report strengthens the evidentiary record by linking the belt to the neck injuries, it does not by itself determine whether Twisha’s death was a case of suicide, homicide or abetment. The CBI is expected to assess the report alongside other evidence as it continues its probe into the high-profile case.
