India Legal’s sister concern APN discussed the acquittal of Aarushi’s parents, Rajesh and Nupur Talwar by the Allahabad High Court on Thursday (October 12). Dissecting the controversial murder case, Rajshri Rai, Editor-in-Chief, APN welcomed the decision of the Allahabad High Court and slammed the media for the obfuscation of the facts while reporting the case.

She recalled that while reporting the case nine years ago, the media houses engaged in misreporting of facts just to garner more and more TRP. The reporting which was done during this case was the worst reporting ever done in the history of Indian journalism, she said.

She said the media houses were totally devoid of responsible reporting and the facts were concocted to suit the tastes and preferences so as to grab more and more eyeballs. “Many theories were propounded by the media houses that were against the Talwars thereby adjudging them as accused. After this verdict the media should do some self-introspection as far as the reporting is concerned.”

She recalled that she was editing the Views on News magazine at that point on time (another publication from the group) and the magazine devoted a whole issue on the murder case and exposed how the media trial was going on.

Vinay Rai, Managing Editor, APN said that it was entirely the District police’s fault and irresponsibility as the police took over 24 hours to search the dead body of Hemraj.

Happy faces

Meanwhile, the decision of the Allahabad High Court to acquit Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, parents of murdered teenage girl Aarushi, was welcomed almost everywhere.

The following are some reactions:

DR Maurya, Jailor, Dasna Jail

“Rajesh and Nupur Talwar are happy, and said that they have got justice.”

(It is pertinent to mention here that the two were restless all through last night, continually enquiring with their lawyers and others as the possibility of the outcome. They got little sleep).

Lawyer of Rajesh & Nupur Talwar

“We are expecting that they will be out of jail tomorrow (Friday).”

CBI

“We are waiting for the copy of the judgment. We will decide on our next course of action after studying it.”

Vikram Singh (former DGP, UP) 

“Being the citizen of India, we welcome this decision. If the CBI has any objection, doors are open for appeal.”

Justice Bhavar Singh, Former Judge, Allahabad High Court

“Allahabad High Court has acquitted the Talwars, because the conviction was on the basis of circumstantial evidence.”

—India Legal Bureau