NOIDA: For Navnidhi Sharma, May 12 will forever remain the date that changed his family’s life twice, once with hope, and then with unimaginable grief. Exactly a year after meeting Bhopal-based lawyer Samarth Singh and his family to discuss his daughter Twisha Sharma’s marriage, the 33-year-old was found dead at her marital home in Bhopal under circumstances now being investigated as a dowry death case.“On May 12, 2025, we met Samarth and his family at our flat for the first time for a small engagement ceremony and to finalise the marriage. Exactly one year later, on the same date, we lost our daughter. I curse my decision to agree to the marriage,” Navnidhi Sharma said, recalling the coincidence that now haunts the family.Twisha, a former beauty pageant winner and communications professional working with a German company, had married Samarth Singh in December 2025 after the two met through a dating app. Her family alleges that within months of the wedding, she began facing harassment, emotional abuse and pressure over dowry and pregnancy-related issues.Hours before she was found dead on the night of May 12, Twisha had called her mother from Bhopal and allegedly said she no longer wanted to stay with her husband. According to her father, she told the family she had undergone an abortion and asked them to book her a flight back to Noida.“She said, ‘Book my ticket home, I don’t want to live here anymore,’” Navnidhi alleged. The family immediately booked her ticket for May 15. However, during the call, they allegedly heard Samarth shouting in the background before the line disconnected.The family claims repeated calls to Twisha, her husband and mother-in-law went unanswered. Around 10.35 pm, Twisha’s mother-in-law Giribala Singh allegedly informed them over phone that “she’s no more”.The Sharmas rushed overnight from Greater Noida to Bhopal and reached the city the next morning. Navnidhi alleged that when they finally saw Twisha’s body at the mortuary, they noticed bruises and ligature marks that raised suspicions.Twisha’s family has alleged that tensions in the marriage escalated after she became pregnant. According to her father, she had returned to Noida in April claiming harassment by her husband and in-laws. He alleged that she was pressured to terminate the pregnancy and accused of carrying someone else’s child.“She wanted to save the marriage despite everything,” Navnidhi said, adding that Twisha returned to Bhopal in April after both families held discussions and Samarth assured them that things would improve.The family also alleged dowry-related taunts and disputes over wedding arrangements. Navnidhi claimed they were forced to hand over Rs 2 lakh on the wedding day after objections were raised by the groom’s side over hospitality arrangements.The case has since snowballed into a major legal and political issue in Madhya Pradesh. Police registered an FIR under BNS sections related to dowry death and cruelty against husband Samarth Singh and mother-in-law Giribala Singh, a retired judge. While Giribala Singh has secured anticipatory bail, Samarth remains absconding. Police have announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for information leading to his arrest and issued a lookout notice.Meanwhile, Twisha’s family has sought a second post-mortem examination at AIIMS Delhi, alleging that the initial autopsy conducted in Bhopal failed to properly document injuries visible on her body.A local court on Tuesday summoned the police diary in the case while hearing the family’s plea seeking a second autopsy. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on Wednesday.Twisha’s family has also demanded an independent probe outside Madhya Pradesh, alleging bias in the local investigation and accusing authorities of delaying action.As the legal battle intensifies, the family says the date May 12 has become a permanent reminder of a decision they now regret.“We met them with dreams of our daughter’s future. One year later, we were standing outside a mortuary waiting for her body,” Navnidhi said.(With agency inputs)
