Aarushi murder case: Talwars held guilty

Talwars were convicted under sections 34, 302 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code

More than five years after the double murder and flip-flops in investigation, dentist couple Rajesh and Nupur Talwar were today held guilty of killing their 14-year-old daughter Aarushi and domestic help Hemraj in their house in Noida.

In a case that has had a number of twists and turns, Additional Sessions Judge Shyam Lal held both of them also guilty of destruction of evidence in the murder on the intervening night of May 15 and 16, 2008, days before the birthday of the class nine student.

The father was also convicted under section 203 of IPC for filing wrong information with the Noida police station about the incident.

After two adjournments since morning, the judge, who is to lay down office this month end, arrived in the high- security court room at 3.25 PM and summoned both the accused.

He read out the operative portion from his order that both the parents have been convicted for murder and destruction of evidence and on the charge of committing an act in furtherance of common intention.

49-year-old Rajesh was also convicted on the charge of filing false FIR. Nupur is a year younger than her husband.

Arguments on sentencing will be held tomorrow after which the judge will announce quantum of sentence.

The Talwar couple, who were well known dentists of Noida, broke into tears as they were taken into custody and were being taken to jail.

Immediately after the verdict was announced, a statement was circulated on behalf of the Talwar couple which read "we are deeply disappointed, hurt and anguished for being for being convicted for a crime that we have not committed. We refuse to feel defeated and will continue to fight for justice.