Talwars stuck in jail as release papers delayed
The dentist couple, Nupur and Rajesh Talwar, will have to wait more to step out of Dasna jail as a certified copy of the Allahabad high court order acquitting them in the AarushiHemraj double-murder case is yet to reach Ghaziabad for the processing of their release documents.
The Talwars have been lodged in jail since November 2013 when a trial court in Ghaziabad sentenced them to life imprisonment for the murder of their daughter Aarushi and help Hemraj.
Their lawyers in Allahabad said the Talwars’ case pursuers had received a certified copy from the high court which would likely reach Ghaziabad by Saturday morning. The release could then materialise within a day or two. As Sunday is a holiday, the Talwars might even have to wait until Monday. “The copy will be submitted at the court in Ghaziabad. The high court order will be verified by the court. Upon satisfaction, a physical release order generally known as ‘rihai parwana’ will be sent to Dasna jail officials,” said Dilip Kumar, the Talwars’ lawyer at the high court.
In its order on Thursday, the HC said, “They shall be released forthwith unless they are wanted in some other case subject to their complying with the provisions of Section 437A CrPC.”
“Since the court has mentioned Section 437A of the CrPC, a bond will also be furnished that after release, they will remain present in case the other party moves into further appeal. The bond will be furnished on Saturday as well,” Kumar added.
Jail officials said the release would be possible once the certified copy was received.
“It is our norm during the period October 1 to March 31 that any such orders received by 4.30pm are executed the same day. The orders received after this are executed the next day. Once we close down by 8pm, no outside person is allowed. The order was not received on Friday. We expect it on Saturday, else the release could also be possible on Sunday if we get complete documents from the court,” said DR Maurya, jail superintendent.
Meanwhile, jail officials said the Talwars ate normally and were waiting eagerly for their release. On Friday, they scanned all the newspapers made available to inmates.
“Dr Rajesh arrived at the dental clinic at the jail hospital at 8am. Generally, he sees nearly 15-20 patients a day but on Friday he tended to 40-50. More inmates arrived as they knew the Talwars would be leaving soon. Dr Nupur spent time with women inmates and went to the crèche, the women’s barrack tailoring shop and interacted with others,” Maurya said.
“Most of the women inmates had questions to her about their release and wanted to know how they too could get released from jail soon. Both Rajesh and Nupur were allowed to meet each other on Thursday after the high court pronounced its judgment. They will further be allowed to meet for 30 minutes on Saturday, as per norms,” Maurya added.
The officials said the Talwars, while serving at the dental clinic of the jail hospital, opted not to get paid ~40 per day, offered to inmates under the jail manual.