Bhopal, June 30 (IANS) A special court on Tuesday extended the judicial custody of retired judge Giribala Singh and her son Samarth Singh, the two accused in the death case of model-actress Twisha Sharma, till July 14.

Both accused were produced before the court through video conferencing from Bhopal Central Jail.

The court passed the order after the expiry of their earlier judicial remand.

Following the hearing, both were directed to remain in judicial custody till the next date of hearing.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the case, did not seek further custodial interrogation of the accused.

The agency is continuing its investigation by examining documentary, forensic and electronic evidence, besides recording statements of witnesses connected with the case.

Twisha Sharma, a model and actress, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her in-laws’ house in Bhopal on May 12.

The incident had sparked widespread public attention and demands from her family for an impartial investigation.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court subsequently transferred the investigation to the CBI after hearing petitions seeking an independent probe.

The central agency has since been investigating all aspects of the case, including the circumstances leading to Twisha’s death.

Earlier this month, the CBI arrested Giribala Singh, Twisha’s mother-in-law, and Samarth Singh, her husband, after questioning them in connection with the case.

They were produced before the special court, which initially granted the agency custodial remand for interrogation. After completion of the CBI remand, the court sent both accused to judicial custody, and they have since been lodged in Bhopal Central Jail.

On Tuesday, they were again produced before the court through video conferencing as their judicial remand came up for extension. The CBI has so far maintained that the investigation is in progress and has not disclosed details of the evidence collected during the probe.

Officials are examining forensic reports, electronic records and witness statements to establish the sequence of events that led to Twisha Sharma’s death.

The case has remained under close judicial scrutiny since the investigation was handed over to the CBI. The agency has questioned several persons associated with the case and is continuing to verify evidence gathered during the course of the investigation.

With the court extending the judicial custody of Giribala Singh and Samarth Singh till July 14, the CBI is expected to continue its probe before taking the next legal step in the case.

–IANS

pd/rad