Bhopal, May 27 (IANS) Soon after taking accused Samarth Singh into custody on Wednesday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took him to his family residence in Bhopal as part of its ongoing probe into the alleged dowry death of actress Twisha Sharma.

During the course of the investigation, the CBI also summoned Samarth Singh’s cousin brother, Swaraj Singh, for questioning.

Investigators are examining his role because he was allegedly among the three persons who helped bring Twisha Sharma’s body downstairs after the actress allegedly died by suicide.

The agency is trying to reconstruct the exact sequence of events inside the house and verify the statements of all individuals who were present at the time of the incident.

Sources said Swaraj Singh’s questioning is considered important to establish the timeline and circumstances surrounding Twisha Sharma’s death.

A CBI team, accompanied by local police officials and a heavy police deployment, reached the residence of Twisha Sharma’s mother-in-law, retired judge Giribala Singh, where investigators carried out an extensive search and questioning exercise for several hours.

The presence of police personnel outside the house drew attention from local residents and media persons as the agency intensified its investigation after formally taking over the case.

Samarth Singh, who had earlier been on police remand under the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Madhya Pradesh Police, was brought from the police station to the residence for questioning and reconstruction of events linked to Twisha Sharma’s death.

Sources said the CBI team examined various aspects of the sequence of events that took place on the day of the incident.

Meanwhile, the security outside the residence was tightened amid the legal proceedings and heightened public attention surrounding the case.

Before this, Samarth who was under Bhopal Police’s (SIT) custody since May 23, was produced before the district court (Magistrate court) on Wednesday.

“The magistrate court proceedings were merely a formality, as the custody is no longer required by the SIT because the investigation has been transferred to the CBI. From this point onward, any further legal proceedings will take place in the concerned CBI court, and the CBI will continue the investigation,” Ankur Pandey, counsel for Twisha Sharma’s family told IANS.

Before this, Samarth Singh was taken to his residence which is the crime scene, by Bhopal police on Monday night.

Samarth’s wife Twisha Sharma, a Noida based woman allegedly died by suicide at her matrimonial home on May 12.

However, Twisha Sharma’s family has made accusations of harassment, violence and dowry demands against her in-laws and husband and suggested foul play in the young woman’s death.

–IANS

pd/rad