Talwars and Tall Tales — The 2008 Noida Double Murders
Part 2: Court of Public Opinion
This is part two of the 2008 Noida Double Murders article — part one is available here.
The CBI wanted answers for who killed Aarushi Talwar and Hemraj Banjade. Earlier investigative failures meant that they were willing to turn to unconventional means for securing convictions if the need arose. Every aspect of the double murders had been wrought with complications, as police arrested Aarushi’s father, Rajesh, then released him.
The focus changed to three Nepali servants as the possible culprits: Krishna Thadarai, Rajkumar Sharma and Vijay Mandal.
Narcoanalysis, also known as “truth serum,” is a controversial tool meant to extract information from someone placed in a hypnotic state. Under the treatment, CBI alleged that the suspects confessed, with the men having various levels of involvement and recollections.
According to this version of events, the men had gathered to drink at the Talwar household, then went to Aarushi’s room to take advantage of the child. Purportedly, they then killed her and Banjade to cover up their tracks.
Krishna Thadarai, whose family provided an alibi for him, claimed that he was tortured by the CBI despite them not having evidence establishing…
