Aarushi: Lawyers' strike impedes start of defence arguments

The date has now been fixed for October 21

The defence in the Aarushi- Hemraj double murder case could not initiate arguments today in the special CBI court here as lawyers went on strike demanding a bench of Allahabad High Court be set up in western Uttar Pradesh.

Court of Additional Sessions Judge Shyam Lal has now fixed October 21 for the start of defence arguments.

"Due to lawyers' strike in favour of setting up a bench of Allahabad High Court in western Uttar Pradesh, defence could not start its arguments. Now, court has fixed October 21 for the start of defence arguments," Manoj Sisodia, counsel for Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, said.

The Talwars are standing trial for the murder of their daughter Aarushi and domestic help Hemraj, which had taken place on the intervening night of May 15-16 in 2008.

Prosecution yesterday concluded arguments, alleging that a chain of circumstantial evidence proved that it was Rajesh and Nupur Talwar who had killed Aarushi and Hemraj.

"By our arguments, charges of murder with common intention (Section 302/34) and destruction of evidence (Section 201/34) are proved on both accused," special CBI public prosecutor R K Saini had said yesterday during arguments.

"Besides, Section 203 of IPC is also proved on Rajesh Talwar for registering wrong FIR at police station," Saini had said, claiming that the dentist couple had "mislead" investigators during the course of probe on different occasions and were involved in destruction of evidence.