Konkona Sen Sharma, Neeraj Kabi and Irrfan starrer ‘Talvar‘ has received a tremendous response from all sections of the society. Not only did the film win a standing ovation at TIFF, it has also won critical acclaim in the country. The film has also raised many pertinent questions on the nature of investigations carried out in the gruesome double murder case.

 

Aarushi's grandparents

Aarushi’s grandparents

A FB page named, ‘Free The Talwars’, shared a post and claimed that this was the first time Aarushi’s grandfather opened up

 

A FB page named, ‘Free The Talwars’, shared a post and claimed that this was the first time Aarushi’s grandfather opened up about the case. The page also shared Aarushi’s grandfather’s plea in an open letter. Take a look at the post here

He wrote, “I had an angel – Aarushi — as my granddaughter who was lovingly brought up at our — her Grandparents’ house — since she was born in May 1994. I had seen her blossom into a doe eyed, beautiful, radiant and sparkling young girl who brought into our lives boundless happiness and joy.

But the destiny, at its worst, separated us from her just as she turned 14 year old, in a most cruel manner. She was murdered in her own house, in her own bed.

When I saw her lifeless like a doll in her bed, I was numb with unimaginable shock. I could see faces around me with pairs of eyes following me. Some with curiosity, some moist, some with unbelievable blank expression, to fathom what had happened. I saw my daughter Nupur crying copiously and Rajesh — Aarushi’s father, moving around aimlessly, not knowing what was happening around. The days passed, with a boorish local police trying to investigate the murder in a disinterested manner culminating into the arrest of Rajesh, and subsequently infamous press briefing by IG Meerut causing unprecedented uproar in the media. UP Police had repeatedly warned us not to talk to as it would adversely impact the case but their motive was otherwise. They wanted to keep us away from the media to hide their incompetence.

The media became ferocious with speculative character assassination of Aarushi and her parents. The onslaught was severe. This bizarre circus continued throughout the trial culminating into an astounding judgement declaring Nupur and Rajesh guilty, and sentencing them to life in prison.

When the judgement was pronounced, I literally sank on my knees, eyes overflowing with tears, body and soul completely battered. Destiny had delivered them and us another crushing blow and my world collapsed around me once more. At 83, I do not think that I would be alive to see them out of jail, but I want to die knowing that people will continue to fight against this huge injustice. I feel completely let down by the institutions, by establishments, be they are police, media, CBI or judiciary.

I am not asking for anything wrong to be done. I am not asking anything more than what is legally due to them. Just as I have protected the country’s honour when I was in the air force, is it not their right for a free and fair trial, and restore their honour, or whatever is still left by now? I fought two wars for this country, I served the country with honesty, integrity and utmost dedication, and at this old age, this is what I get in return from every respected institution of this country?

ALL OF US SHOULD PONDER OVER THE FACT THAT IT’S FRIGHTENING EVEN TO THINK WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO NUPUR AND RAJESH. AND IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANY OF US IN THE SOCIETY?
Sometimes I wonder if this is the country I dreamt about, and fought for. – Gp Capt. B G Chinis (Retd.)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Aarushis-grandfathers-plea-in-an-open-letter/articleshow/49319922.cms

“Miscarriage of Justice,” Says Aarushi’s Grandfather

BG Chitnis sits with the demeanour of a dignified man in his Noida flat. The 84-year-old is a former Group Captain in the Indian Air Force and also Aarushi’s maternal grandfather. It’s difficult to ignore the bright, smiling photograph of Aarushi kept in a corner of the hall. In contrast, there is no emotion on his wrinkled face.

Chitnis recently wrote an open letter defending the accused in the Aarushi-Hemraj double murder case – his daughter, Nupur Talwar and his son-in-law, Rajesh Talwar. In the letter, he blamed the UP Police, the CBI and the judiciary for putting the couple behind bars without a shred of evidence.

Photo of Aarushi Talwar at her maternal grandparents’ house in Noida. (Photo: The Quint
Photo of Aarushi Talwar at her maternal grandparents’ house in Noida. (Photo: The Quint

Seven years after Aarushi’s death, he broke his silence. But, why now?

The UP police had told us to stay away from the media saying that it would impact the investigation. So we obliged. We were aware that we couldn’t counter media’s robust claims so we waited for the right time.
— Gp Capt BG Chitnis (Retd)

The “right time” came after Avirook Sen’s book, Aarushi, and the movie, Talvar. By this time, the discourse had changed as there were more voices speaking in favour of the parents’ innocence.

But there’s more than one reason why he chose to speak up.

Believe me, if you ask me to write that letter now, I won’t be able to. Last week, after watching the movie and meeting Nupur and Rajesh in the jail, I was overcome with a sudden surge of emotions. I came home and decided to write an open letter and vent out all that I was feeling.
— Gp Capt BG Chitnis (Retd)

Aarushi’s grandfather, BG Chitnis. (Photo: The Quint)
Aarushi’s grandfather, BG Chitnis. (Photo: The Quint)

He said that the nation’s institutions – the police, the CBI and the judiciary – have let him down.

The UP police has let me down. Under media pressure, they worked in a hurry to save their reputation and to impress their bosses. CBI had found Rajesh Talwar innocent. But after the team changed, they went back on that and raised a finger of suspicion at Rajesh instead.
— Gp Capt BG Chitnis (Retd)

In its closure report, the CBI said, “Only the parents could have killed Aarushi.” On November 25, 2013, a special CBI court in Ghaziabad found Rajesh and Nupur Talwar guilty of murdering Aarushi and Hemraj.

Judge Shyam Lal, who is known as Sazza Lal in the circles for giving maximum convictions, he didn’t allow our witnesses, overlooked crucial evidences. Rajesh and Nupur are innocent, but they were put behind bars without a shred of evidence.
— Gp Capt BG Chitnis (Retd)

Aarushi’s parents, Rajesh and Nupur Talwar. (Photo: PTI)
Aarushi’s parents, Rajesh and Nupur Talwar. (Photo: PTI)

Chitnis always thought highly of these institutions. “My faith in all the institutions has been shattered after what I experienced,” he said.

The man who once served the country now wonders what has become of it.

(Camera: Sanjoy Deb, Video Editor: Hitesh Singh)

 http://www.thequint.com/videos/2015/10/14/miscarriage-of-justice-says-aarushis-grandfather