Thaindian News

Ghaziabad, May 11 (IANS) Trial in the twin murder case of Delhi schoolgirl Aarushi Talwar and her domestic help Hemraj began in a sessions court here Friday, nearly four years after the twin murders shook the nation.

The trial, which began in the court of special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) judge S. Lal in Ghaziabad, saw heated exchange of arguments between the defence and prosecution over supply of documents. The court was adjourned to hear the case on May 14.

On the first day of hearing, defence counsel Vijay Pal Singh Rathi and prosecution lawyer R.K. Saini locked horns on the issue of supplying documents to the accused persons - the dentist couple Nupur and Rajesh Talwar. Their angry exchanges continued for a long time in presence of the judge in chair and finally the court was adjourned to hear the case on May 14.

The defence lawyer argued that when the trial has begun how can the prosecution deny the papers to the accused persons. He accused the CBI of spreading confusion.

Showing the lower court’s order to media persons, the defence lawyer said the court of Preeti Singh clearly mentioned that if the set of documents was too bulky, it could be provided for inspection personally or through pleader in the court.

He alleged that the CBI was reluctant to provide the papers under one or other pretext and was blaming the defence for causing delay in trial. “Hence we have submitted a fresh application before the learned court to issue a judicial order. In the prayer we have submitted that the copies of the statements of witnesses including that of Krishna, Raj Kumar (servants) be given to us,” he said.

“If the documents are not supplied by the CBI the applicant will suffer an irreparable loss which cannot be fulfilled at any cost and which could be prejudicial towards the applicants,” he argued.

CBI prosecutor V.K. Singh said the documents were very bulky and hence could not be supplied. He said the defence could see and inspect them in the court.

Replying to the CBI offer, the defence counsel said merely inspecting the documents could not work because inspecting and then replying before the judge could hamper the court proceedings.

Aarushi, 14, was found murdered at her Noida residence May 16, 2008. The body of her family’s domestic help Hemraj was found the next day on the terrace of the house.