In the course of the trial of the ongoing Aarushi Talwar-Hemraj double murder case, the prosecution (CBI) sought and was given permission to place additional documents on record. Among others, these included a clarification letter dated 24th March’11, addressed by the Scientist Incharge, Lab of DNA Fingerprinting CDFD, Hyderabad. This letter raised the issue of a typographical error in describingtwo exhibits. The accused have challenged the filing of the said document by the prosecutionin Allahabad High Court, as they feel it would prejudice their case at this stage.
During investigation of the case, 2 pillow covers (one received from the room of deceased Hemraj, and the other recovered from the room of Krishna who was suspected accused at that time) were sent to CDFD for examination. As per record, the pillow cover seized from Krishna's room was found with DNA positive of deceased Hemraj. The accused have contended that in order to botch up the case, the investigating authorities have attempted to distort this fact. The clarification letter from CDFD claims that there is a typographical error, and that the pillow cover carrying DNA was actually recovered from Hemraj's room.
According to the Allahabad High Court judgement, the clarification letter is not an additional document, but only a change of version by a witness whose report had been placed by the prosecution at the time of filing of the charge sheet. Accordingly, the application moved by the accused has been dismissed.
The court order however mentions that since it has taken the CBI 3 years to detect the error, which according to them crept in at the time the report was submitted by the witness, it raises some suspicion. Therefore the court has asked both the witness and the Investigating officer (IO) on whose application the clarification was sought, to be brought for cross examination.
Cross examination of SPR Prasad, the scientist from Hyderabad has revealed that the CBI had not asked for, or received, any of the papers pertaining to how the error had been committed. In fact, the investigating agency had informed the Allahabad High Court about the error even before the CDFD had issued a clarification. In addition, packages of critical evidence opened before the court showed that there were no CDFD seals on any of them.
Sameer Chitnis, uncle of Aarushi Talwar said that the family is happy that the court has found the 'Typo Error' document 'suspicious' as it was filed 2 and a 1/2 years after the actual DNA report which is dated November 2008. Therefore, the possibility of inconsistencies and malafide intent of the investigating agencies, who in collusion with the premier DNA testing lab of the country have deliberately sought to frame two innocent persons, cannot be ruled out.
To show your support, please sign the petition ‘Justice for Aarushi and Hemraj’ at www.change.org/aarushi.
During investigation of the case, 2 pillow covers (one received from the room of deceased Hemraj, and the other recovered from the room of Krishna who was suspected accused at that time) were sent to CDFD for examination. As per record, the pillow cover seized from Krishna's room was found with DNA positive of deceased Hemraj. The accused have contended that in order to botch up the case, the investigating authorities have attempted to distort this fact. The clarification letter from CDFD claims that there is a typographical error, and that the pillow cover carrying DNA was actually recovered from Hemraj's room.
According to the Allahabad High Court judgement, the clarification letter is not an additional document, but only a change of version by a witness whose report had been placed by the prosecution at the time of filing of the charge sheet. Accordingly, the application moved by the accused has been dismissed.
The court order however mentions that since it has taken the CBI 3 years to detect the error, which according to them crept in at the time the report was submitted by the witness, it raises some suspicion. Therefore the court has asked both the witness and the Investigating officer (IO) on whose application the clarification was sought, to be brought for cross examination.
Cross examination of SPR Prasad, the scientist from Hyderabad has revealed that the CBI had not asked for, or received, any of the papers pertaining to how the error had been committed. In fact, the investigating agency had informed the Allahabad High Court about the error even before the CDFD had issued a clarification. In addition, packages of critical evidence opened before the court showed that there were no CDFD seals on any of them.
Sameer Chitnis, uncle of Aarushi Talwar said that the family is happy that the court has found the 'Typo Error' document 'suspicious' as it was filed 2 and a 1/2 years after the actual DNA report which is dated November 2008. Therefore, the possibility of inconsistencies and malafide intent of the investigating agencies, who in collusion with the premier DNA testing lab of the country have deliberately sought to frame two innocent persons, cannot be ruled out.
To show your support, please sign the petition ‘Justice for Aarushi and Hemraj’ at www.change.org/aarushi.