The initial investigation wrongly focused on Arushi's parents, Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, as the prime suspects, leading to public backlash and job loss for Rajesh.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) uncovered crucial overlooked clues, including alcohol residue and confessions linking Krishna Tatarai to the crime.
Rajesh and Nupur Talwar were convicted based on confessions under NACO analysis, but this evidence is not admissible in court.
Deep dives
Barty Mandel starts working as a housemaid for the Talwal family
Barty Mandel, a housemaid, starts working for the Talwal family, cleaning their home in Delhi. She notices something amiss when her coworker, Hamraj Banjade, fails to let her in on a specific day. Barty eventually enters the Talwal's home and discovers chaos - Arushi, the couple's daughter, has been brutally murdered.
Initial suspicion falls on Hamraj Banjade and his three friends
Initially, suspicion falls on Hamraj Banjade, who is missing after the murder, and his three friends named Krishna Tatarai, Rajkumar, and Vijay Mandal. However, all three friends are soon released due to lack of evidence. The investigation takes a different direction when Arushi's missing phone is traced to another person, ruling out the involvement of the Nepalese friends.
The case against the Talwal family and the trial
The Talwal parents, Rajesh and Newport, are accused of the murders and destroying evidence. The CBI presents a theory that Rajesh discovered Hemraj and Arushi together, leading to a violent rage. The couple faces trial and appeals, but ultimately loses their appeals and stands trial. The prosecutor presents the CBI's theory in court, linking Rajesh to the murders. The trial begins, five years after the murders occurred.
The Initial Investigation
The initial investigation into the double homicide of Arushi Talwar and Hemraj Banjade focused on Arushi's parents, Rajesh and Newport Talwar. The police cited Rajesh's behavior, alleged affair, and inconsistencies in his statements as suspicious. The media sensationalized the case, painting Rajesh as the prime suspect. Despite Rajesh's claims of being framed, he faced public backlash and lost his job. The case received a significant amount of attention due to the high-profile status of the Talwars.
The CBI Investigation
Following a demotion of the police inspectors general, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case. They discovered crucial clues that had been overlooked by the initial investigation, including three glasses with alcohol residue in Hemraj's quarters, indicating the presence of guests the night of the murder. The CBI also focused on Krishna Tatarai, a former employee of the Talwars. Krishna confessed to being present during the murders along with two other men. The CBI found evidence linking Krishna to the crime, including a bloodstained kukri knife and clothes. Rajesh and Newport Talwar were convicted based on three confessions given under NACO analysis, but this form of evidence is not admissible in court.
*** Content warning: child victim, sexual assault ***
When Rajesh and Nupur Talwar went to wake their 13-year-old daughter Aarushi on the morning of Friday, May 16 2008, the couple were shocked to find her brutally murdered in her bed.
