The much-awaited trial in the sensational murder of teenager Aarushi Talwar and her domestic servant Hemraj, in which her parents — dentist couple Rajesh and Nupur Talwar — are main accused, began here after four years of the crime with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) producing its witnesses before the court.
The CBI produced fingerprint expert A.D. Saha, Executive Engineer of the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Corporation Rajesh Kumar and U.P. Police constable C.L. Gautam who had taken photographs of the crime scene.
Both Rajesh and Nupur were present during the daylong proceedings.
Mr. Saha said he lifted five latent fingerprints from the scotch bottle which was recovered from the Noida residence (the scene of the crime) of the Talwars but none matched with that of any suspect.
He also produced 36 packets, containing the results of various tests and also the fingerprints and other particulars from the spot.
He said the 750-ml scotch bottle was “one-third empty.” Later, defence lawyer Manoj Kumar Sisodia also cross-questioned him.
After the arguments, Mr. Sisodia told PTI that he could only cross-question Mr. Saha and Mr. Rajesh Kumar as the CBI had not informed him of the deposition of Mr. Gautam.
Fresh clothes on Aarushi?
In his statement, Mr. Gautam said that when the sheet covering the body of Aarushi was removed for taking photographs, it appeared that fresh clothes were put on her.
He said he was called on May 16, 2008 to the Jalvayu Vihar residence of the Talwars by the investigation officer who had again called him the next day when the body of the servant was found on the terrace. He also gave information about the mortuary photographs.
