Neighbours in Jalvayu Vihar shut doors, seal lips

The Jal Vayu Vihar colony in Noida's Sector-25 area once again witnessed a herd of media persons when the judgement on the infamous double murder of thirteen-year-old Aarushi Talwar and domestic help Hemraj was announced.

While some people in the colony were aware as to why the media vans and journalists thronged the area, the residents of the building, where the murder had taken place, stayed behind closed doors. Most of the residents chose to stay silent and refused to comment on the case. Even after the verdict, only a handful of them spoke to the media.

As soon as you enter the society gate, the guards even without any question guide you to the 'Aarushi' residence.

"Aarushi was a lovely and an innocent child. We can not comment on the court judgement. Their judgement is based on the evidence. All I would like to say is that the killers should be punished. What happened inside their house is not known to anyone," said Alpana Bhatnagar, a neighbour residing in the adjacent block.

Some residents, who were chatting among themselves at the bus stand waiting to pick up their kids, said it is her father, Rajesh Talwar, who could have killed them as of the four people in the house two were murdered.

"From investigation to the crime, everything was hushed. They might be liberal parents, but how can they not be aware of someone killing their daughter in the adjacent room," said a senior citizen at the colony.

While the double murder still remains a mystery, most neighbours fondly recall Aarushi as a cute and nice girl.

Saniya Malhotra, a PR professional and one of Rajesh Talwar's patients, said, "I know the couple since 2005, and they are really kind-hearted people. They were a happy family. He used to say I was like his daughter, as I was of Aarushi's age. Justice has finally been delivered. Now, the police should reopen the case and arrest the actual culprit."