Ghaziabad:
Rajesh and Nupur Talwar broke down in court today after being found guilty of killing their young daughter, Aarushi, and their domestic help, Hemraj, in 2008. They have both been taken into custody. "We are deeply disappointed, hurt and anguished for being convicted of a crime we did not commit," the Talwars said in a statement, vowing to continue their fight.
Rajesh and Nupur Talwar have been found guilty of murder - which carries a minimum sentence of life term or death sentence - destruction of evidence and misleading investigators. (Aarushi murder case: India's unsolved mystery)
Just days before she turned 14, Aarushi was found with her throat slit in her bedroom at the family apartment in Noida on May 16, 2008. Because Hemraj was missing, he was declared the suspect. But hours later, his corpse was found on the terrace of the apartment building.
Seven days later, Rajesh Talwar was arrested for the double murder. He was released on bail two months later. (Full coverage)
On May 31, the case was handed over to the CBI from the Noida police, which had gravely mishandled the case. Reporters were allowed access to the terrace where Hemraj's body had been found, and a senior police officer said at a press conference that Rajesh Talwar had killed his daughter after finding her in a compromising position with the domestic help.
The National Commission for the Protection of Children's Rights or NCPCR said the police's public allegation against a minor was unacceptable.
In June, three men who were friends of Hemraj and were domestic helps for either the Talwars or their neighbours, were arrested. The CBI examined the theory that the men, who visited Hemraj often at the Talwar home, may have killed Aarushi and him. (He was the friend Aarushi spoke to most)
Three months later, they were released after the CBI said there was no evidence against them.
In April 2012, Nupur Talwar was arrested for ignoring orders to appear in court; she was released on bail in September 2012.
In December 2010, the CBI asked for permission to close the case, and said that though it did not have evidence against him, Rajesh Talwar remained the main suspect. Experts pointed out this was grossly unfair. But the judge ordered that both Rajesh and Nupur Talwar would be tried for murder.
The CBI has said that the throats of Hemraj and Aarushi were slit so expertly that only a medical professional could be responsible. They also say Rajesh Talwar's golf club, found at the house, was used to hit the victims.
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