The Bar Council of India suspended the licence of Bhopal advocate Samarth Singh after an FIR alleging dowry death and cruelty in Twisha Sharma case, citing non-cooperation with investigation and concerns over dignity of the legal profession.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) suspended the licence of Samarth Singh, a Bhopal-based advocate, 10 days after his wife, Twisha Sharma, was found hanging at her matrimonial home under mysterious circumstances.
The BCI noted that an FIR has been registered against Samarth Singh and others, alleging dowry death and cruelty, and observed that Singh had not been cooperating with the investigation. The Council said urgent steps were necessary to safeguard the credibility of the legal profession.
In its interim order, the BCI recorded that the allegations are “grave” and that they affect the dignity and public image of the legal profession. Referring to advocates as officers of the court, the Council said it has a duty to maintain public confidence in the justice system.
The BCI Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra said in the statement,
“In view of the seriousness of the allegations, the role of the advocate in the death of his wife, the registration of criminal proceedings, and the fact that he is absconding, it is necessary to pass an urgent interim order,”
During the suspension period, Singh will not be permitted to appear, act, plead, or practise before any court, tribunal, or authority in India. He is also barred from filing vakalatnamas or representing himself as an enrolled advocate during this time.
Meanwhile, Twisha Sharma’s husband appeared before the Jabalpur court to surrender after spending 10 days on the run. However, confusion was reported at the venue, as he moved between courtrooms while police personnel waited outside to take him into custody. Singh was later detained by the Jabalpur Police and is being taken to Bhopal for further proceedings.
Twisha Sharma, a 33-year-old former Miss Pune, was found hanging at her matrimonial home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12. Her in-laws alleged that she was dealing with drug addiction, while her family accused them of dowry harassment and sustained mental pressure.
The BCI action has unfolded alongside rapid judicial developments. These included the High Court’s order for a second post-mortem, the husband being taken into police custody after the 10-day period on the run, and a notice issued to her mother-in-law for alleged non-cooperation with the investigation.
The first post-mortem report reportedly stated hanging as the cause of death. However, Twisha’s family pointed to multiple injury marks on her body, alleging that she was murdered and did not die by suicide.
The case is currently being investigated by the CBI, following the court’s directions.
Twisha’s parents have alleged dowry-related harassment, coercion connected to the pregnancy, and ongoing mental abuse. In contrast, Twisha’s mother-in-law retired judge Giribala Singh has presented a different account in media interactions.
She claimed Twisha had “confessed to consuming large quantities of marijuana during pregnancy,” was undergoing psychiatric treatment, and had been prescribed medication “given to a schizophrenic patient.”
She further alleged that Twisha did not want to continue the pregnancy and had taken abortion pills on May 7, later stating she wanted to reverse the procedure something she said was not medically possible.
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