By IANS,
Lucknow/Noida/New Delhi : Echoing the family’s demand, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Thursday sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the killing of teenager Aarushi Talwar and her family’s domestic help, adding a political twist to the murder mystery that has the nation transfixed.
“I am going to write a letter to the centre demanding a CBI probe into the murders,” Mayawati said in a statement she read out here Thursday.
Noting the demands made by Aarushi’s family for a CBI probe, Mayawati said: “I understand that the parents do not have faith in the investigations being conducted by the Uttar Pradesh police.
“I sympathise with them and have no hesitation in handing over the case to the CBI,” Mayawati said, adding: “I am not sure whether the central government will accept our request.”
“However, I would reassure the parents that even if the CBI does not take up the case, we would have the case investigated and would ensure that the guilty are brought to book and that no innocent person is punished,” the chief minister maintained.
Aarushi’s dentist father Rajesh Talwar was arrested eight days after the twin murders on May 16 in a quiet middle class neighbourhood in the suburban town of Noida that borders Delhi.
Talwar is currently in three days’ police custody and the police have to present evidence in court Friday to justify his further detention. If they can’t he will revert to court custody.
In New Delhi, Minister of State for Home Shriprakash Jaiswal said: “The Aarushi murder case is not fit for a CBI probe. The Uttar Pradesh special task force is already probing the matter.”
Home ministry officials, however, said that Jaiswal’s was not the last word on the issue.
Mayawati also criticised Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury for issuing “irresponsible statements” on the conduct of the Uttar Pradesh police.
“They should stop issuing petty political statements in a matter that is so serious and sensitive,” Mayawati maintained.
Chowdhury was quick to react.
“My reaction is that of great sadness. How sad it is that a woman chief minister thinks that a young girl’s life is equal to politics. My reaction to the case comes as a mother, out of great pain and anguish. I only wish Mayawati would know what it means to feel like that,” the minister said in New Delhi.
Mayawati is unmarried.
Chowdhury had Tuesday objected to a statement made by Gurdarshan Singh, Inspector General (Meerut range), May 23 casting aspersions on Aarushi’s character.
Reacting to Mayawati’s statement, Talwar’s lawyer Pinaki Mishra said: “I am glad she has stepped in.
“A CBI probe is desirable, particularly when the state has specifically asked for it,” Mishra added.
Speaking on behalf of Aarushi’s family, Mishra had May 27 demanded a CBI probe into the murder of the teenager and servant Hemraj.
Dinesh Talwar, the brother of Rajesh Talwar, also welcome Mayawati’s announcement. “Mayawati has assured us justice would be done. I hope my brother is not harassed in police custody.”
Aarushi’s body was discovered in her Jalvayu Vihar apartment May 16 and the police had immediately named Hemraj as the prime suspect. They found themselves with egg on their face when Hemraj’s body was discovered on the terrace of the building the next day.
Police say Talwar killed Aarushi in a fit of rage as he objected to her closeness to Hemraj.
Rajesh Talwar’s wife Nupur, who too is a dentist, has defended her husband, saying he is innocent and said both of them discovered Aarushi’s body together after their suspicions were aroused when they found they were locked in from outside.