On the day of parents' acquittal, family and friends took time out to mourn and remember a'bright and bubbly teenager'
Nine years after 13-year-old Aarushi Talwar was found murdered, with her throat slit, along with her domestic help Hemraj at her apartment in Noida's L-block Jal Vayu Vihar, family and friends on Thursday remembered her as a 'bright and bubbly' teenager, in love with life.
The Allahabad High Court in Ghaziabad on Thursday acquitted the Talwars, Aarushi's parents, who were accused of committing the double murders.
Sharing fond memories of his grand-daughter, BG Chitnis, a former group captain in the Indian Air Force told DNA, "Aarushi was a very affectionate child. Always bubbly. I remember the last time I spoke to her on the phone she was very excited about her 14th birthday approaching. She would talk about it all the time. She told me: 'Nanaji apko aana hi hai (Nanaji you have to come) I won't take your excuses this time around'."
The family, Chitnis said, remembers her all the time and on every birthday, special prayers are offered for her to rest in peace.
Moving from parents to her teachers, Nina Sehgal, former Principal Delhi Public School, Noida Sector 30, who was there when Aarushi was studying, said, "As far as I know, Aarushi was a very happy and lively girl. It's difficult to believe that she could have committed suicide. Whatever happened was really unfortunate."
Similarly, another family friend of the Talwars', Radhika Chaddha recollected her last memories of Aarushi, when they watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory together. "We are very close to the Talwar family. We would go out together for dinners and outings. A few weeks before the incident we had gone out along with my daughter to watch the movie. I remember her as a very gentle, happy young girl. This was the saddest thing on earth that happened to the family," said Chaddha.
Her friends and classmates who are still grieving, said, nothing has changed even after nine years as Aarushi is constantly in their thoughts. "Nine years have gone by, and every day we miss Aarushi and think of her or how she would have reacted to situations," said one of her close friends, who did not wish to be named.
She remembered Aarushi as an all rounder, adding that Aarushi was the only one in their group to hold a 'blue blazer' — a title given to students who score over 85 per cent for three years in a row.
Aarushi's batchmates also recalled her as being fond of dance. She was the leader and founder of their'Awesome Foursome' group, which she had founded during their dance classes.
TIMEline
2008
May 16
Aarushi Talwar found dead with her throat slit in her house. Based on her parents’ complaint, domestic help Hemraj suspected of murder.
May 17
Suspect Hemraj’s decomposed body found on the terrace of Talwars’ home.
May 22
Aarushi’s parents — Rajesh Talwar and Nupur Talwar — come under suspicion.
May 23
Rajesh Talwar arrested for the two murders.
June 1
CBI took over the case.
2010
January 5
CBI moved court to conduct narco test on Talwar couple.
December 29
CBI submited closure report pointing fingers at parents.
2011
February 9
Court took notice of the CBI report, charged Aarushi’s parents with murder and destruction of evidence.
March 18
High Court dismissed Talwar’s plea to quash summons.
March 19
Talwars approached the Supreme Court which stays the trial against them.
2012
April 30
Nupur Talwar arrested.
May 25
Talwars charged with murder, conspiracy and destruction of evidence.
2013
October 10
Final arguments began.
October 18
CBI said the couple ‘misled’ investigators.
November 25
Talwar couple convicted by a special CBI court.
November 26
Quantum of punishment delivered and Talwars were sentenced to life in prison by CBI court.
2017
October 12
Aarushi’s parents acquitted by Allahabad High Court
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