Bhopal, June 16 (IANS) Twisha Sharma’s family on Tuesday reiterated their allegations of institutional bias and procedural lapses in the initial investigation into the former model and actor’s death, while expressing confidence in the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.

Speaking to IANS after attending proceedings in a Bhopal court, Twisha’s father, Navnidhi Sharma, said the family had consistently maintained that the investigation was affected by the influence of retired district judge Giribala Singh, one of the accused in the case.

“Our stand from day one has been that there was institutional bias and procedural irregularity in the investigation due to Giribala Singh’s influence. These concerns were not raised recently; we have been saying this from the beginning,” Sharma told IANS.

Navnidhi Sharma and Twisha’s brother, Major Harshit Sharma, travelled from Delhi to Bhopal to attend the hearing, during which the court reviewed the status of the ongoing investigation.

Despite the family’s concerns regarding the earlier stages of the probe, Sharma said they were satisfied with the manner in which the CBI was now conducting the investigation. “We are satisfied with the CBI investigation and hope that Twisha will get justice. The agency is carrying out its work, and we are confident that the facts will emerge through the legal process,” he said.

Sharma also emphasised that the family was exercising restraint in its public comments regarding the case. “We are strictly adhering to the Supreme Court’s guidelines and refraining from making statements that could influence the proceedings. We respect the judicial process and want the investigation to continue without any external pressure,” he told IANS.

Meanwhile, during the hearing, counsel representing Twisha’s side, Shubhang Dixit, informed reporters that the CBI had apprised the court that it was yet to receive the second post-mortem report, which remains an important component of the investigation.

The proceedings also saw submissions from retired judge Giribala Singh, who raised concerns regarding access to newspapers and legal consultations inside jail. She requested that complete editions of Hindi and English newspapers be provided to her and sought additional time for meetings with her lawyers, arguing that the complexity of the case required longer consultations.

Giribala also sought permission to meet her legal counsel simultaneously with her son and co-accused, Samarth Singh, for better coordination of their defence. In addition, she objected to public statements allegedly being made by members of Twisha’s family and sought appropriate directions from the court.

The court on Tuesday extended the judicial remand of Giribala Singh and Samarth Singh till June 30 as the CBI continues its investigation into the case.

–IANS

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