A gymnastics belt that was allegedly not produced during actress-model Twisha Sharma’s first post-mortem has now emerged as one of the most critical pieces of evidence in the investigation into her death.

In a significant development, an AIIMS New Delhi medical board has submitted an 11-page forensic report to the Central Bureau of Investigation in a sealed cover. Dr Sudhir Gupta, head of the Department of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS Delhi, confirmed to NDTV that the report had been submitted. Its contents remain confidential under court directions.

However, according to sources familiar with the findings, laboratory and histopathological examinations detected skin tissue on the alleged ligature material of a gymnastics belt fitted with a metal ring. The sources said the findings indicate that the material could correspond with the injury pattern observed on Twisha’s neck.