MP Govt Recommends CBI Probe in Twisha Sharma Death Case

MP govt seeks CBI probe into Twisha Sharma death case; husband still missing

The mysterious death of social media influencer Twisha Sharma has now escalated into a high-profile national investigation, with the Madhya Pradesh government formally recommending a CBI probe amid growing outrage over the circumstances surrounding her death.

Officials confirmed on Friday that the recommendation was sent to the Centre after demands intensified from Sharma’s family, women’s rights groups, and opposition leaders who questioned the pace and direction of the local police investigation.

The case has gripped public attention for days. Sharma, 27, was found dead under suspicious circumstances earlier this week at a rented apartment in Bhopal. What initially appeared to be a suicide case quickly turned controversial after her family alleged harassment, domestic abuse, and possible murder.

Her husband, identified by police as Abhishek Sharma, has not been located since the incident. Investigators say his mobile phone has been switched off, and teams have been dispatched to multiple locations across Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring states.

State government under pressure

Senior officials in the state Home Department said the decision to seek a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry was taken after “serious public concern” and emerging evidence that could require a wider forensic and financial investigation.

“The government wants a transparent and unbiased investigation. The recommendation for a CBI probe has been sent in the interest of justice,” a senior official told reporters in Bhopal on Friday.

The case has also become politically sensitive. Opposition parties accused the administration of failing to protect women and delaying decisive action despite repeated complaints allegedly made by Sharma to people close to her.

Videos and screenshots circulating online — some verified, others still under examination — purportedly show Sharma speaking about emotional distress and marital conflict in the weeks leading up to her death.

What investigators have found so far

Police sources said preliminary forensic findings indicated injuries on Sharma’s body that investigators are treating “seriously.” Officials have not publicly disclosed whether the injuries were recent or linked directly to the cause of death.

Investigators are currently examining:

• Call records between Sharma and her husband

• CCTV footage from the apartment complex

• Financial transactions from the past six months

• Statements from neighbours and friends

• Social media activity and deleted messages

A forensic team reportedly recovered electronic devices, including a laptop and two mobile phones, from the apartment. Digital evidence is expected to play a major role if the CBI formally takes over the case.

Bhopal Police Commissioner Rajesh Gupta said teams were “continuously conducting searches” for the missing husband.

“No individual connected to the case will be spared from questioning. We are following every lead available to us,” he said.

Family alleges harassment

Twisha Sharma’s family has alleged that she faced sustained mental and physical harassment after her marriage nearly two years ago.

Her father told local media that the influencer had repeatedly spoken about “pressure and threats” but did not want to publicly discuss her marital problems because of social stigma and concern for her career.

“She wanted to build a life independently. She was under immense stress,” a family member said outside the family residence.

The family has demanded murder charges and immediate arrest of the husband.

Women’s organisations have meanwhile organised candlelight marches in Bhopal and Indore, demanding swift justice and stronger action in crimes involving domestic violence.

Social media outrage fuels national attention

The case has spread rapidly online, with hashtags related to Twisha Sharma trending across X and Instagram for two consecutive days.

Several influencers and actors have demanded an impartial probe. Some users compared the case to previous high-profile deaths involving public personalities where online campaigns significantly influenced the course of investigation.

Legal experts, however, warned against relying entirely on viral narratives.

“Public pressure can ensure accountability, but digital speculation should not replace evidence-based investigation,” said Supreme Court advocate Neha Suri.

Cybercrime officials are also monitoring misinformation linked to the case after edited videos and unverified chat screenshots began circulating online.

Why the CBI angle matters

A CBI investigation usually signals that state authorities believe the case requires independent scrutiny beyond local policing structures.

Former IPS officer AK Dubey said the recommendation could lead to:

• Wider forensic review

• Interstate coordination

• Financial and digital tracking

• Fresh witness examinations

“A central agency probe often reassures the public in emotionally charged cases where trust in local investigation becomes contested,” he said.

However, the process is not immediate. The Union government must first approve the request before the CBI formally registers a case.

Public debate over influencer culture and mental health

The case has also reopened discussions around mental health pressures faced by influencers and young content creators.

Friends described Sharma as ambitious and professionally active in the weeks before her death. She reportedly collaborated with several regional fashion and lifestyle brands and had been trying to expand her online presence nationally.

Mental health professionals say influencer culture often creates invisible stress linked to public scrutiny, unstable income, and personal branding pressures.

“People see glamour online but not emotional isolation behind the screen,” psychologist Dr Ritu Menon said.

Still, activists stressed that the core issue in the Sharma case remains the allegations of domestic abuse and the need for a credible criminal investigation.

What happens next

Police teams continue to search for Sharma’s husband while awaiting further direction from the Centre on the CBI recommendation.

If approved, the central agency is expected to take custody of evidence already collected by Madhya Pradesh Police and begin fresh questioning of witnesses.

For now, the case remains one of the country’s most closely watched criminal investigations, driven by a mix of public grief, political pressure, and unanswered questions surrounding the final hours of Twisha Sharma’s life.