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Terming as "extremely prejudiced" the Central Bureau of Investigation court’s judgment in the Aarushi-Hemraj murder case, Nupur Talwar's sister Vandana on Monday said the family will not give up and raised doubts over the agency's probe.
"We are not going to give up," an agitated Vandana told reporters outside the special CBI court in Ghaziabad.
"It is extremely prejudiced. Minds are already made. If this is the way trials are conducted, then there is no need to have trials. Nobody wants to look at the evidence," she said.
"CBI is a prestigious organisation and everybody believes in it. But nobody listens to us. But it is like 100 lies should not make truth. But unfortunately in our case, it has become a truth. There are layer and layer of lies," she said referring to the verdict based on CBI's evidence against Aarushi's parents.
CBI lawyer R K Saini said the main thrust of the case was based on circumstantial evidence which pointed at the Talwars' involvement in the murder case.
"Court has seen all the circumstantial evidence and agreed on it. The main thrust of the case was based on circumstantial evidence," he said.
When asked whether the verdict was victory or loss for the agency, the prosecution lawyer said, "I have done my duty. There is no question of victory or loss."
The Talwar couple's lawyer Rebecca John said the appellate court will surely find that the two were not involved in it.
"It is very unfortunate day. We have the right to challenge and verdict will be challenged in the higher court. When the verdict will be challenged in an appellate court, I am sure the court will have a categorical conclusion that the parents have not committed the crime," she said.
Both Rajesh and Nupur Talwar were held guilty of killing their 14-year-old daughter Aarushi and domestic help Hemraj in their house in Noida. While Aarushi was killed on the intervening night of May 15-16, 2008, Hemraj's body was found the next day.
The dentist duo was taken to Dasna Jail in Ghaziabad soon after they were held guilty by the court.
Eminent advocate K T S Tulsi termed it as an "open and shut" case.
"It was an open and shut case. It was clear there was no intruder who entered the house on that fateful night. When there was no intruder it becomes very clear that nobody entered the house. There were four people in the night and two of them were found killed next day. Now the (onus is) on the other two members present in the house to give evidence for them," he said.
Another noted lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani said the trial court judgement has to be respected "at least for now".
"The trial court judgement has to be respected and this is one judgement that I am looking forward to read and understand," he said.
Former CBI Directer Joginder Singh said the case was based on circumstantial evidence and witnesses' testimony collected by CBI.
Rajesh Talwar's brother Dinesh too said he was disappointed at the verdict of the Ghaziabad court.
"The CBI themselves said in the court that servants were involved in the crime. But then the agency did not provide any information to the court... So how do you expect the court to decide? We did not get justice today but we will appeal in the higher court. The higher judicairy will correct this injustice," he said.