Aarushi case: HC clears Talwars for lack of proof

RAP FOR CBI Says parents deserved benefit of doubt as case not proved beyond doubt; agency studying verdict, may challenge it

: The Allahabad high court acquitted on Thursday Rajesh and Nupur Talwar in the 2008 murder of their 14-year-old daughter Aarushi and domestic help Hemraj, giving the “benefit of doubt” to the accused in the face of insufficient evidence.

A bench of judges BK Narayana and AK Mishra set aside the life sentence given to the dentist couple by a special CBI court in 2013 and ordered that the two be released immediately from jail.

“Circumstantial evidence was not adequate for a conviction beyond doubt,” the court said, adding that neither the circumstances nor the evidence on record established the couple’s involvement in the crime.

The judgment brings down the curtains on one of India’s most sensational murder trials that sparked numerous conspiracy theories with many accusing the police of bungling the probe.

“We are grateful to everyone... I have seen them (Rajesh and Nupur) suffer,” said Aarushi’s grandfather BG Chitnis.

On May 16, 2008, Aarushi was found murdered inside her bedroom in the Talwar’s flat in Noida’s posh Jal Vayu Vihar – her throat slit with surgical precision.

The police initially suspected the missing house help from Nepal, Hemraj, but his decomposed body was found a day later from inside a locked room in the terrace of the building.

The police then began to suspect the Talwars and said Rajesh, the father, had murdered the two after finding them in an “objectionable” position. The case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

ALLAHABAD/GHAZIABAD FILE PHOTO

MAY Aarushi Talwar found dead in her bedroom; domestic help Hemraj suspect MAY Hemraj’s body found in room on building terrace

MAY Talwar’s former servant Vishnu Sharma named suspect. MAY Rajesh Talwar named key accused, arrested.

JUNE CBI takes over probe. JUNE Talwar’s domestic help Krishna arrested by CBI.

JULY Talwar granted bail. DECEMBER CBI submits closure report, gives clean chit to servants, suspects parents. FEBRUARY Court asks CBI to prosecute Aarushi’s parents for murder and destruction of evidence. NOVEMBER, Rajesh and Nupur convicted for the double murder, sentenced to life imprisonment.

SEPTEMBER Allahabad HC bench reserves judgment on parents’ plea.

OCTOBER Allahabad HC acquits Aarushi's parents.