Bhopal, May 21 (IANS) Days after the alleged suicide of Twisha Sharma, her family members alleged lapses in the investigation by the police and claimed that her absconding husband Samarth Singh’s family is “abusing” the system to influence the investigation.

The victim’s family will challenge the interim bail of Samarth’s mother and former principal district judge Giribala Singh before the Jabalpur Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, advocate Ankur Pandey, representing the family, told IANS on Thursday.

Giribala Singh is a co-accused in the case and was granted interim bail by the Bhopal district court.

Speaking to IANS, Twisha’s uncle, Lokesh Sharma, alleged that there have been lapses in handling the case from day one. “The police should first issue a clarification for all the lapses.”

Detailing the alleged negligence, he said: “The FIR was lodged after three days. I still don’t know if the crime scene has been sealed or not, or whether any official has been posted for vigil.”

Twisha’s cousin Ashish Sharma added: “The CCTV footage, which was presented in court, is a clear indicator that the evidence, which should have been seized by the police, was instead being shown by the accused.”

“The court also should have raised questions over this.”

The family had earlier claimed that the investigating officer did not produce the belt allegedly used for hanging before the doctors during the examination.

“They are pursuing the case according to their whims and fancies,” the victim’s cousin alleged.

He further said that the family had appealed for the second post-mortem examination before Twisha’s cremation, which is being avoided. “The family is in so much pain, more so because we are unable to cremate her,” he added.

Sharma reiterated the family’s allegation that the family of Twisha’s absconding husband, advocate Samarth Singh, is using its influence to stall proceedings in the case.

“Every step is pre-determined,” he alleged while adding that the evidence is being tampered with.

Twisha’s cousin expressed caution that if justice is not served fast, the case will be erased from public memory like innumerable others of such kind. “If Twisha is not given justice, won’t the administration and the judiciary again side with the powerful in other cases?” he said.

He added that the family is willing to undergo all kinds of sacrifices to ensure justice for his sister. “We are repeatedly approaching the authorities, have been compelled to approach the High Court and even go to the Supreme Court for justice,” he asserted.

Underlining that Samarth Singh’s family is influential, Sharma alleged: “They are using the system to protect themselves.”

Regarding the family’s meeting with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, he said: “The assurance will only have meaning if the investigation is properly taking place.”

Meanwhile, Samarth Singh filed an application for interim bail in the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday.

–IANS

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