Heavy security ahead of Aarushi-Hemraj murder verdict

Ahead of the verdict into the sensational Aarushi-Hemraj double murder case Monday, the Uttar Pradesh police put in place the heavy security around the court premises.

In the Ghaziabad court, Special judge Shyam Lal is likely to pronounce judgment around 11:30 a.m., nearly five-and-a-half years after Aarushi Talwar (14) and domestic worker Hemraj Banjhare were found murdered at the flat of her parents Rajesh and Nupur Talwar in Noida May 15, 2008.

The Talwar-couple is charged with murder and destruction of evidence with common intention. Rajesh Talwar has additionally been charged under Section 203 of the Indian Penal Code for lodging a false initial FIR in the case with Noida police.

A large number of media also gathered to cover the case.

The case was initially investigated by Uttar Pradesh Police, however, a fortnight after the murders, the case was handed over to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) May 31, 2008.

The charges against the couple were framed May 25, 2012, and the trial began after that.

The CBI case is based purely on circumstantial evidence because of the lack of direct evidence against the two accused.

During the trial, the agency maintained that murders were committed by the two accused as no outsider seemed to be involved. Of the four persons present at the L-32 house, two were found murdered, the agency said.

CBI lawyer R.K. Saini maintained that there was no proof of any outsider's entry, the scene of crime had been heavily dressed up, Aarushi's body had been tampered and Hemraj's body was concealed on the terrace of the flat.