No facility in state to preserve Twisha’s body:AIIMS says corpse is decomposing, ideal storage temperature is -80°C

For over a week, the suspicious death of 33-year-old Noida resident Twisha Sharma in Bhopal has gripped both the state capital and Madhya Pradesh, triggering widespread outrage and intense public scrutiny. The high-profile case took a dramatic turn after Twisha’s family accused her in-laws and demanded a second post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, a Bhopal court rejected the family’s plea for a fresh autopsy but directed authorities to preserve Twisha’s body at -80°C to prevent decomposition and protect potential evidence. The order, however, has exposed a major infrastructural gap, as officials confirmed that no government hospital or medical college in Madhya Pradesh has an ultra-low temperature mortuary facility capable of maintaining such conditions. Twisha’s body has been kept at the AIIMS Bhopal mortuary since May 13. On May 18, the institute informed police that its mortuary temperature can only be maintained at around -4°C, far below the level required for long-term preservation. According to forensic experts, a body can remain preserved for only four to five days at this temperature. Long-term preservation generally requires storage between -50°C and -80°C. Director of Forensic Science Shashikant Shukla and former director Dr. D.K. Satpathy also confirmed that no such ultra-low temperature preservation facility exists in the state. Read the report… Father raises questions over investigation delays Twisha’s father, Navnidhi Sharma, alleged that delays in the appeal process worsened the condition of the body and may have affected crucial evidence. He said the situation raises serious concerns about the handling of the investigation and the justice process. Lawyer questions delay in providing ‘ligature material’ Family lawyer Ankur Pandey claimed that the postmortem was conducted on May 13, but the alleged ligature material or belt was not handed over to forensic doctors until May 15. The family questioned how doctors could determine the cause of death without examining the alleged hanging material during the autopsy. The family also alleged that Twisha’s sister-in-law’s relative, who is a senior doctor, was present at AIIMS during the postmortem process, raising fears of possible influence on the investigation. Five key questions raised by the family The family has raised several questions before the investigating agencies: Twisha’s last chats: “Mom, I can’t breathe here…” The family considers Twisha’s WhatsApp chats with her mother an important part of the case, claiming they indicate emotional distress and ongoing domestic conflict. April 30 Soon after reaching Bhopal, Twisha allegedly wrote: “Why did you send me here? My life has become hell. Samarth has not spoken to me from the airport to the house.” May 7, 3 AM She reportedly messaged: “Mom, come and take me away from here. Samarth said he has been tolerating me for a year. We will leave quietly. Don’t bring Papa.” May 9 Twisha allegedly claimed Samarth accused her of infidelity: “He is asking whose child it was… He has crossed every limit of ugliness. My curse will follow him.” May 11, one day before death She wrote: “Amma and Samarth are behaving as if nothing happened. I don’t feel at peace anywhere. Family preparing to move High Court After the lower court rejected their petition, Twisha’s family is now preparing to approach the High Court. On Wednesday, the family met Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who assured them of all possible assistance. The family said it will seek judicial intervention and stronger measures for preservation of evidence in the case.