Bhopal, May 25, 2026 — In a deeply emotional ceremony marked by grief and solemnity, Major Harshit Sharma, an Indian Army officer, performed the last rites of his sister, Twisha Sharma, at the Bhadbhada Vishram Ghat cremation ground in Bhopal on Sunday evening.
The 33-year-old former model and actor, who hailed from Noida and had married Bhopal-based lawyer Samarth Singh in December 2025, was laid to rest nearly 12 days after her death on May 12, 2026. Her mortal remains were released to the family only after a second post-mortem examination conducted by a four-member team from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.
Emotional Farewell at Bhadbhada Ghat
The final rituals commenced after 5 p.m., following the completion of the second autopsy earlier in the day. Family members, including Twisha’s inconsolable parents and relatives, bid a tearful farewell as floral tributes were paid and traditional Hindu rites were observed. Major Harshit Sharma, dressed in formal attire befitting the solemn occasion, lit the funeral pyre, carrying out the primary duties as the brother of the deceased.
Emotional scenes unfolded throughout the proceedings at the crematorium. Twisha’s mother and other family members were visibly distraught as the pyre was prepared. The delay in conducting the last rites—necessitated by legal and medical procedures—had also led the family to express concerns over the breach of traditional 13-day mourning rituals.
Family Pays Tribute and Expresses Hope for Justice
Major Harshit Sharma paid a heartfelt tribute to his sister, describing her as “a very emotional, caring and loving person. She used to take everyone along.”
He further stated, “We are all very hopeful and waiting… This is a big step ahead, and we are all happy that the transparency we wanted is coming forth.”
Twisha’s father, Navnidhi Sharma, spoke of the profound loss: “Today, we are going to bid farewell to a daughter, a sister, a friend and an innocent life. The daughter who had begun a new phase of life with dreams has left us all too soon. The vacant eyes of parents, shattered dreams, and every passing moment spent waiting for justice raise a silent question before society.”
He added, “We don’t know how we will live without her… I thank everyone for their support and she will get justice. This case will set an example for everyone and people’s faith in the judicial process will be restored. I thank the Supreme Court for taking suo motu cognisance of the matter.”
Other relatives highlighted alleged shortcomings in the initial post-mortem and expressed confidence that the second examination by the AIIMS team would provide greater clarity. The family had insisted on the second autopsy before accepting the body, citing the need for a thorough and unbiased investigation.
Background of the Case
Twisha Sharma was found dead at her matrimonial home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12, 2026. Her family alleged that she had been subjected to dowry harassment and mental torture by her husband and his family, leading to abetment to suicide. An FIR was subsequently registered against Samarth Singh and his mother, Giribala Singh (a former district judge), under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
The husband had remained absconding for approximately 10 days before surrendering and being arrested in Jabalpur on May 22. On May 23, a Bhopal court remanded him to seven days of police custody for further interrogation. The in-laws’ side has maintained that the death was a suicide and has denied the dowry-related allegations as baseless, asserting full cooperation with the authorities.
The case has drawn significant national attention, prompting the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance under the title “In Re Alleged Institutional Bias and Procedural Discrepancies in the Unnatural Death of a Young Woman at Matrimonial Home.” A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant is scheduled to hear the matter on Monday, May 25, 2026. The Madhya Pradesh government has also proposed transferring the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Dr. Sudhir Gupta, Head of the Forensic Department at AIIMS Delhi, noted that the autopsy report would require time for detailed laboratory tests, including histopathology and viscera analysis. The AIIMS team is expected to return to Delhi with samples, photographs, video documentation, and written findings for further examination.
Path Ahead
The cremation on Sunday brought a measure of closure to the family’s immediate ordeal, though their pursuit of justice continues amid heightened scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding Twisha Sharma’s death. The family has repeatedly emphasised their demand for transparency and accountability, while the accused side has reiterated its commitment to uncovering the truth through due legal process.
As the Supreme Court prepares to examine the matter, the case remains under intense public and judicial watch, highlighting broader concerns over dowry-related deaths and procedural fairness in high-profile investigations.
