Unanswered questions in Arushi murder probe

THE MOTIVE: Dr Rajesh Talwar's alleged extra-marital affair was the reason for the twin murders.

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Noida: Arushi Talwar was found murdered on May 16 and exactly a week later police have arrested her father - Dr Rajesh Talwar - on charges of murdering his daughter and domestic help Hemraj.

Police have also detained Arushi's mother Dr Nupur Talwar for questioning.

So what was the motive behind the twin murders? Police point to Dr Talwar's alleged extra marital affair and the alleged closeness between the 14-year-old Arushi and Hemraj.

So do all details revealed by the police then square up? Not entirely.

Incidental or planned

Senior Superintendent of Police (Noida) A Satish Ganesh had said on Thursday that it could be a case of honour killing.

"One thing is very clear that one of them is a incidental death. The intention was not to kill both; the intention was to kill one. Other one was the victim of circumstances," Ganesh had said.

On Friday, Inspector General of Police (Meerut range) Gurdarshan Singh, said, "Hemraj was killed first and then Arushi was done away with."

Meanwhile Additional Director-General of Police (Law and Order and Special Task Force) Brij Lal, "They were planned murders. Hemraj was main target."

All three are senior officers and their versions came one after the other. Which of them is correct?

What was the motive?

Ganesh's version: "There is a possibility of honour killing as well."

Gurudarshan Singh's version: " Dr Rajesh Talwar had extra marital affair. Arushi and Hemraj knew about it and used to discuss it. Dr Rajesh could not tolerate it even though his own character was also not very good."

He also said, ""Hemraj and Talwar's daughter became intimate and Dr Rajesh didn't like it."

Brij Lal said: "He checked Hemraj's room but didn't find him there. He saw him in Arushi's room."

So was it Arushi's knowledge of her father's affairs the trigger, or her alleged intimacy with Hemraj?