Twisha ‘non-cooperative’ hubby sent to 7-day police remand

Bhopal: A local court on Saturday sent Samarth Singh, husband of model-turned-actor Twisha Sharma and an accused in her alleged dowry death case, to seven-day police remand for custodial interrogation.

Police produced Samarth Singh before the court of judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) Anudita Gupta around 3 pm and sought his custody for seven days to question him in connection with the case.

ACP Rajneesh Kashyap, who is heading the special investigating team (SIT) formed to probe the case, informed the court that Samarth Singh was not cooperating in the investigation. He was insisting on talking to his lawyer. The court accepted the plea and granted police remand till May 29. During the hearing, Samarth Singh’s counsel also submitted his passport before the court.

During the remand, investigators will question Samarth Singh regarding his movements and routine on the day of the incident, his relationship with Twisha Sharma and the circumstances that allegedly led to disputes between the couple.

Police sources said the probe will also focus on allegations related to disputes over medical termination of pregnancy and the reasons behind the alleged deterioration in their relationship. Police commissioner Sanjay Kumar said the SIT would also question Samarth Singh about his whereabouts while he was absconding and the people who allegedly helped him evade arrest. He indicated that action could also be initiated against individuals found to have provided shelter or assistance to the accused during the period he remained on the run.

Police will also send the accused’s mobile phone for forensic examination. Officials said the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) would attempt to retrieve deleted data or any material allegedly erased after the incident.

The SIT will also take Samarth to the spot and attempt to reconstruct the crime scene.

ACP Rajneesh Kashyap, who is supervising the investigation, said CCTV footage and the DVR installed inside the house have already been seized. Police are also scrutinising footage from cameras installed around the residence, including recordings from the week preceding the incident, as part of the investigation.

Twisha’s family lawyer Ankur Pandey said that the family has filed an application with the police commissioner to remove Katara Hills SHO Sunil Dubey from the SIT claiming that he had been in contact with the accused since May 13 and may have been working under influence. He said that the SHO’s number appeared in the call detail record of Samarth Singh’s mother Giribala Singh.