Retired judge Giribala’s house targeted in theft:Jewellery and files are stolen from the home; police detain 2 suspects after escape bid

Thieves broke into the house of retired judge Giribala Singh, who is accused in the death case of actress-model Twisha Sharma. They tried to steal a file containing some documents related to Giribala and her son Samarth Singh, along with gold jewelry. However, due to the arrival of the police, the thieves had to abandon the goods and flee. ACP Rajneesh Kashyap confirmed the theft and the seizure of the goods. Giribala’s brother was present at home at the time of the incident. He stated that the thieves entered the house from the back during the night between Saturday and Sunday, so he was unaware of the theft. Meanwhile, police patrolling the area arrived near the house. As soon as they heard the siren of the police vehicle, the culprits panicked and fled, leaving their belongings behind. Police personnel also chased them, but they managed to evade capture. Police scanned the CCTV footage of the area. Based on the suspicious activities seen in them, two people were taken into custody on Sunday. They are being interrogated. It should be noted that in the Twisha death case, accused husband Samarth Singh and mother-in-law, retired Judge Giribala Singh, are in judicial custody till June 30. Earlier, on June 16, both accused were presented before the court via video conferencing. During this time, Giribala Singh had told the court that in the Hindi and English newspapers being provided to her in jail, news related to her case is cut out and separated. She requested to be given the complete newspaper to read. Also, the stipulated 20-minute time limit for meeting lawyers should be abolished. Considering the nature of the case, more time is needed for legal advice. Giribala had also demanded that she be allowed to meet her lawyers at the same time as her son, Samarth Singh. This would enable better coordination on legal strategy. During the hearing, Giribala and Samarth had demanded an investigation related to Twisha’s bank account, expenses of 7 lakh rupees, mobile tower location, and car keys. The memo for the seizure of Twisha’s medicines was also demanded Giribala Singh had objected before the court, stating that Twisha’s family members and relatives were continuously giving statements to the media. Necessary instructions should be issued in this regard, asking them to refrain from making public statements. During the investigation, Twisha’s medicines were seized, but a copy of the seizure memo (panchnama) was not given to Giribala or Samarth’s lawyers. This should be provided. During the hearing, Giribala Singh had also requested a copy of the application submitted by the CBI regarding the extension of judicial custody. These were provided to her lawyers on the court’s order. Questions were raised on lawyers appointed during Giribala’s tenure Earlier on June 12, Twisha’s father Navnidhi Sharma had sent a complaint to the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (MPSLSA), raising questions about the role of lawyers associated with the legal aid system. He had alleged that some lawyers associated with Legal Aid, appointed to provide free legal aid to economically weaker people, are active in favor of Giribala and Samarth. Their appointment had taken place at a time when Giribala Singh was the District and Sessions Judge in Bhopal. Navnidhi Sharma also sent a photo with the complaint, in which Assistant Advocate Shreyas Saxena, associated with the Legal Aid Defense Counsel scheme, is seen dancing at Samarth Singh’s wedding. The complaint claims that on May 15, during the hearing of the anticipatory bail application, he was also present in court with the private lawyer of the accused party. Demand for investigation by the Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel The complaint also mentions Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel Reena Verma. It is alleged that she presented a power of attorney when the accused were produced in court by the CBI on June 2. The complainant states that when the accused already had private lawyers, the active role of lawyers associated with Legal Aid should be investigated. Navnidhi Sharma alleges that two Legal Aid lawyers appointed during Giribala Singh’s tenure later appeared with the accused in a case related to her. The complaint states that if members associated with the Legal Aid panel were representing a private party, an independent investigation should be conducted. What are Legal Aid and Lawyers? Legal aid lawyers are lawyers who provide free legal assistance to needy and economically weaker sections of society. They are appointed by the District, State, or National Legal Services Authority. This facility is provided to women, the poor, SC-ST, children, and incarcerated individuals. The fees for these lawyers are paid by the government or the Legal Services Authority. Its objective is to provide equal justice to every person.