Date:25/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/25/stories/2008052559340800.htm

National

Talwar mentioning a new name adds to whodunnit

Atiq Khan

“Evidence points to Talwar’s involvement”
Dr. Anita Durrani interrogated

LUCKNOW: A day after dentist Rajesh Talwar was arrested for his alleged involvement in the murder of his daughter Aarushi and domestic help Hemraj in Noida, the “mysterious” crime continues to raise many questions.

While the Noida police maintained that they moved in the right direction, the mention of the name of one Dinesh Verma by Dr. Talwar made the whodunnit more complex. When he was being produced in court on Friday, the dentist alleged that Dinesh framed him.

Incidentally, Dinesh is also the name of Dr. Talwar’s elder brother, but his surname should logically be Talwar.

Expressing surprise, Senior Superintendent of Police Satish Ganesh said: “I came to know about this name from media reports. Why would someone named Dinesh Verma try to frame Dr. Talwar? It is on the basis of circumstantial evidence that the police cracked the case and the evidence pointed to Dr. Talwar’s involvement.”

Pointing out that it was practically difficult to gather all evidence in a complex crime within six days, the SSP said investigations were still continuing.

‘No media pressure’

When it was pointed out that Dr. Talwar’s family members and lawyer claimed that he was innocent, Mr. Ganesh said: “Which accused will plead guilty?”

The SSP denied that the case was worked out under media pressure.

On Saturday, the police interrogated Dr. Anita Durrani, wife of Dr. Talwar’s colleague. The police alleged that Dr. Talwar had an extra-marital affair with Dr. Anita Durrani.

She reportedly said Dr. Talwar did not commit the murder and that she was away in Dehra Dun on the fateful night, May 15.

Meanwhile, the dentist’s lawyer has reportedly moved the court to secure bail for his client.