In a major breakthrough in the alleged dowry death case of 33-year-old model-turned-actor Twisha Sharma, the Bar Council of India (BCI) on Friday suspended her husband, advocate Samarth Singh, from practicing law with immediate effect.
The apex legal body’s decision came on the same day Singh, who had been evading arrest for over a week, withdrew his anticipatory bail plea before the Madhya Pradesh High Court and surrendered before a court in Jabalpur. He was subsequently taken into custody by the Bhopal police.
BCI Steps In to Protect the Integrity of the Legal Profession
In its interim order, the BCI stated that the charges against Samarth Singh are of a highly serious nature, directly impacting the public’s faith in the judiciary. The council emphasized that advocates serve as officers of the court, and their personal conduct must uphold the discipline and dignity of the legal profession.
“Accordingly, Samarth Singh, Advocate, is hereby suspended from practice as an advocate with immediate effect, pending further consideration by the Bar Council of India and/or the appropriate Disciplinary Committee,” the apex body’s order read.
With this order, Singh is barred from appearing, pleading, filing any vakalatnama, or practicing law in any court, tribunal, or authority across India until further notice. The BCI noted that it took action after receiving reports that Singh was absconding and allegedly refusing to cooperate with police investigators in a criminal inquiry regarding a woman’s death within months of marriage.
Sudden Surrender and Custody After Days on the Run
Singh’s suspension coincided with dramatic developments in the ongoing criminal investigation. Having been on the run for more than a week, Singh chose to withdraw his anticipatory bail petition from the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday.
Shortly after the withdrawal, he surrendered before a local court in Jabalpur, allowing the Bhopal police to officially take him into custody for questioning.
High Court Orders Second Autopsy Amid Conflicting Claims
Twisha Sharma was found hanging on May 12 at her matrimonial home in the Katara Hills area of Bhopal, just months after marrying Singh.
Her death has triggered intensely conflicting narratives:
- The In-Laws’ Claim: Singh’s family has asserted that Sharma was struggling with drug addiction.
- The Family’s Allegation: Sharma’s family strongly denies this, alleging instead that she was subjected to severe dowry harassment that ultimately drove her to her death.
In response to concerns raised by Sharma’s family regarding the initial postmortem report, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed a specialized team from AIIMS Delhi to conduct a second autopsy to ensure an objective investigation.
In a separate move to tighten the probe, the High Court also issued a formal notice to Sharma’s mother-in-law, Giribala Singh. The notice responds to petitions demanding the cancellation of her bail on the grounds that she has allegedly failed to cooperate with investigators.
