Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, parents of Aarushi Talwar, were acquitted by the Allahabad High Court in the 2008 murder case of their daughter and servant Hemraj. The High Court struck down a CBI court order convicting them in 2013. Here are some reactions from family, friends and lawyers following the verdict.
The Family and Close Friends of Talwars Are Relieved with the Judgment.
Justice has been delivered and we are relieved with the court’s verdict. I have seen them suffering and it was tiring for me at this age to see my daughter and son-in-law being put behind bars for a crime they did not commit. I’m emotionally drained.BG Chitnis, Grandfather
This has been an exhaustive journey for us. Suffered for almost 10 years. Highly grateful to the HC that they brought an end to the injustice meted out to them. Want to thank all the supporters for being with us through the ordeal. This could not have happened without their support.Vandana Talwar, Rajesh’s Relative
Big relief for everyone. It had been an ordeal for them. Justice might have been delayed but it has happened. The last I spoke to them was a month back. They were hopeful and I think that is what helped.Masooma, Close Friend
Fiza Ranalvi Jha, a close friend of Aarushi Talwar said her faith in the Indian judicial system was restored today in a post on Facebook.
“Truth always triumphs”, said a neighbour of the Talwar couple.
Avirook Sen, the author of the book ‘Aarushi’ expressed joy at the judgment but said nobody can take back the trauma.
Very well thought-through. the conclusion was eagerly awaited by the Talwars. Whatever was lacking in Ghaziabad have been corrected in Allahabad.
Meghna Gulzar, director of the movie ‘Talvar’ based on the murder case also reacted after the verdict and said that the truth is still veiled but if the facts are laid out, the picture becomes very clear. She says the verdict proved that there were no conclusive evidence against the Talwars that they murdered their daughter and Hemraj.
It is a huge victory for justice for the truth but from whatever little I know of them and have known them, even in this victory there is a void and a vacuum because Aarushi is not coming back. The years they have lost are not coming back and nobody can get that back to them we still have that on our conscience. But the fact that they have been exonerated which is something they were fighting for, not so much for themselves but just so that their daughter’s memory would not be maligned at death I think that is what is most important to them and I am glad they got that today.
Vishal Bhardwaj who helped Meghna Gulzar to write and produce the critically acclaimed film, tweeted:
Gajraj Rao who played the character of Inspector Dhaniram in the film ‘Talvar’ also reacted to the verdict.
Lawyers of the Talwars Rejoice in Victory
I am glad both my clients have been acquitted by the High Court. None of the circumstances were against my clients. CBI can go to the Supreme Court if they want.Family Lawyer of the Talwars
"Will Approach the Supreme Court": Naresh Yadav, Rajkumar's Lawyer
The lawyer of Rajkumar , Naresh Yadav, said his client is unhappy with the judgment and that they will approach the Supreme Court. Rajkumar who was the house help at Dr Anita Durrani’s, one of Talwars' friend, was one of the suspects in the case. He was at the Talwar residence drinking with Hemraj and compounder Krishna on the night of the murder.
CBI to Act After Receiving Judgment Copy
After the verdict, the CBI said that it will wait for the copy of judgement before deciding on their next move. It will brief media on their future course of action after talking to their lawyer in the Allahabad court. On 26 November 2013, the Talwars were awarded life sentence by a special CBI court in Ghaziabad
We are waiting for the copy of the judgement. We will decide our next course of action after studying it.
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