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The Supreme Court on Monday (May 25) was informed that the CBI is likely to take over within a day the probe into the death of 32-year-old actor-model Twisha Sharma at her matrimonial home in Madhya Pradesh, amid allegations of institutional bias and procedural lapses in the investigation.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the CBI was prepared to take over the investigation and that administrative steps for the transfer would be initiated on the same day.

Suo motu proceedings

The Supreme Court expressed concern over the public narrative surrounding the death case of Twisha Sharma, saying it was “pained” by suggestions that the judiciary was delaying the trial, while maintaining that transferring the probe to the CBI was a fair course of action.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi was hearing the suo motu matter. The court observed that the suo motu proceedings had been initiated in the backdrop of a narrative alleging institutional bias in the investigation because Twisha Sharma’s husband is a practising advocate and her mother-in-law is a former district judge.

Also Read: AIIMS Delhi medical board to meet Twisha Sharma’s family before second autopsy

During the hearing, the bench reiterated that the circumstances surrounding Sharma’s death required an independent and impartial investigation. “Whatever unfortunate incident has taken place, it must be investigated fairly, independently and impartially,” the bench observed.

Cautions against media trial

The court also advised all sides against litigating the matter through television debates and public statements, asking them instead to place their versions before the investigating authorities. “Record statements before the authority concerned, not elsewhere,” the bench said.

Expressing discomfort over the ongoing public discourse around the case, the Chief Justice made a direct appeal to the media to avoid turning the proceedings into a parallel trial.

Also Read: SC takes suo motu cognisance of Twisha Sharma case; to hear matter on May 25

“We are slightly at pain because of some of the actions. We will request our media friends to not go for the statements of the victims family or the other family. Let the things move as per law and procedure,” the Chief Justice said as quoted by Live Law.

The bench further urged restraint in the reporting of statements that could influence public perception before the investigation was complete. The court requested journalists not to repeatedly seek reactions from the victim’s family or the accused side and avoid reducing the grief of those involved into media “sound bites”.

On statements and coverage

In its order, the court also requested the media not to publish statements of potential witnesses or accused persons as such reporting could prejudge issues still under investigation. It asked the public to refrain from speculation and place trust in the investigation by the premier agency.

Also Read: MP govt proposes to transfer Twisha Sharma death case to CBI

During the proceedings, Mehta submitted that “one of the potential accused”, Twisha’s mother-in-law, had been “hopping from one channel to another channel giving statements maligning the victim”, which had led to counter-statements from the other side and intensified media coverage.

Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave also raised concerns over reporting of the case, saying the entire Section 164 CrPC statement had appeared in newspapers.

(With agency inputs)