By IANS,
Noida : Demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the gruesome murder of teenager Aarushi Talwar and a domestic help, for which her father Rajesh Talwar has been arrested, his lawyer Tuesday accused the Noida police of “grave shortcomings” in its enquiry into the murders.
“The police has not done the job that was expected of them and that is why we are demanding a CBI probe,” lawyer Pinaki Mishra told a crowded press conference here.
“Please help us get an impartial enquiry,” added Talwar’s brother Dinesh, who was also present at the press conference.
“There have been grave shortcomings in the investigations and, to cover up, Talwar is being made a shocking scapegoat,” Mishra maintained.
“Talwar is being made a scapegoat to prevent more egg on the face of the Noida police,” he added.
Mishra also objected to the manner in which a court here Tuesday granted the police Talwar’s custody for three days without giving him a chance to defend himself.
“We strongly fear and apprehend for his well being. Talwar is being made a scapegoat and the police might resort to tactics that are not necessarily legal,” the lawyer contended.
“There was a lawyers’ strike in court. The police lawyer was allowed to argue his case. Talwar was not allowed to defend himself even though we believe we have a very strong case,” Mishra maintained.
He also pointed out that after an accused was sent to judicial custody “there is no need for police custody. We prayed for an adjournment but unfortunately our prayer was disallowed. This goes against all norms of natural justice.
“We urge the Uttar Pradesh government to cease and desist from any further enquiry and hand over Talwar’s custody to the CBI. Let the central government step in and pass an order (to this effect) after taking the consent of the state government,” Mishra demanded.
The police say Aarushi’s father was in an inebriated state when he killed her May 15 because she had been discussing his extra-marital affairs with her friends. Talwar also objected to the alleged relationship between Aarushi, a Class 9 student of Delhi Public School (Noida), with the domestic help, Hemraj, the police said.
Talwar was arrested May 23 for the twin murders and remanded to 14 days judicial custody. On Tuesday, the police were given Talwar’s custody for three days.
The Talwars – both husband and wife are dentists – have denied any role in the gory murder of Aarushi, who was found at their home May 16 with her throat slit, and Hemraj, whose body was discovered only May 17.
Mishra also said Talwar’s family had so far refrained from speaking to the media as they “trusted” that the Noida police would be able to get to the heart of the matter.
“The family was not able to speak as it was advised that an exhaustive police enquiry was underway and that there would be no scapegoats. We have now seen to our dismay that the opposite is the case.
“Therefore, all family members have decided to come forward and demand a CBI enquiry,” Mishra stated.