Aarushi case: CBI produces painter, guard as witnesses

The Central Bureau of Investigation today produced painter Shohrat and guard Virendra Singh as "material" witnesses at a Ghaziabad court in the trial of the murders of teenager Aarushi Talwar and domestic help Hemraj. Peeyush Khandelwal reports.

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday produced painter Shohrat and guard Virendra Singh as "material" witnesses at a Ghaziabad court in the trial of the murders of teenager Aarushi Talwar and domestic help Hemraj.

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Shohrat told the court that he painted the "wooden partition" between the bedrooms of Aarushi and her parents in the same colour as the walls. This was done around one and a half years after the double murders.

He added that he had taken out the grilles of the main gate and the balcony in the rear of the house. "Both grilles were taken out on the instructions of Dr Rajesh Talwar," he said.

Importantly, the removal of the grilles was highlighted when charges of destruction of evidence were framed against Rajesh in May. Also, a CBI special judicial magistrate had in February 2009 said the painting of the partition indicated a tampering of evidence.

Guard Virendra Singh said he neither saw nor heard of any person roaming around suspiciously in the complex where the Talwars lived at the time of the murders.