Renuka slams Noida cops on Arushi slander

Noida cops are under fire from Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury for what she says was insensitive handling of the Arushi Talwar murder case.

Noida cops are under fire from Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury for what she says was insensitive handling of the Arushi Talwar murder case.

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Chowdhary says the probing policemen are liable to to be punished for defamation and insulting the modesty of a woman.

"We take strong objection to the language that has been used to describe the murder," she told reporters. "I have strong reservations about Aarushi's character assassination. The police people need to be sensitised."

Chowdhury has asked the ministry officials to find out if the cops violated laws meant for protection of minors by their public disclosure of an alleged liason between 14-year-old Arushi and family servant Hemraj.

The minister also plans to take up the issue with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati. "As a woman, I don't think she will allow such a thing."

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also objected to the stigmatisation of the minor.

UP police officials had said last week that Aarushi fell victim to an "honour killing" after her father Rajesh Talwar -- who is now the prime accused -- found her and Hemraj in an "objectional position."

She said the cops involved can be punished under sections 499 (defamation) and section 509 (insulting modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.