CBI Recreates Twisha Sharma’s Final Moments With 80‑kg Dummy in Bhopal

When Twisha Sharma, a 19‑year‑old student from Bhopal, was found dead in a drain last year, the case sent shockwaves across the nation. Accusations flew, protests erupted, and the CBI was handed the grim task of untangling what really happened that night.

In a move that reads almost like a crime‑scene drama, CBI officers brought in an 80‑kilogram dummy—essentially a life‑size mannequin—to reenact the final hours of Twisha’s life. The dummy, dressed in the same clothes she wore, was placed in a replica of the narrow, water‑logged passage where her body was discovered.

Why a dummy? Investigators say it helps them visualise the sequence of events without further traumatizing witnesses. By moving the mannequin through the same cramped corridor, they could test whether a person of Twisha’s build could have been forced into the drain, how quickly the water would have risen, and exactly where the struggle might have taken place.

According to the CBI’s own briefing, the reconstruction showed that the drain’s slope and the depth of water would have made it extremely difficult for anyone to climb out unaided. The team also noted that the force required to push a person of that weight into the sloping passage was significant—enough to suggest more than just an accidental slip.

The police, for their part, maintain that Twisha fell on her own while trying to escape. They argue that the presence of a dummy does not prove any foul play, insisting that the investigation should focus on forensic evidence rather than dramatics.

Families and activists, however, see the dummy exercise as a validation of their long‑standing claim that the police were directly involved. “Seeing a figure of her size being shoved into that narrow space,” one protester said, “makes it clear that something went terribly wrong that night.”

Legal experts caution that while the reconstruction may influence public opinion, it is not definitive proof. Courts will still rely heavily on autopsy reports, CCTV footage, and eyewitness testimony before delivering a verdict.

As the case progresses, the CBI says it will continue to use scientific methods—like the dummy reenactment—to piece together a timeline that can stand up in court. Whether this approach will finally bring closure to Twisha’s grieving family remains to be seen.