Nupur Talwar not to be arrested, plea referred to CJI

In a dramatic turn of events, the Central Bureau of Investigation, which had raided dentist Nupur Talwar's residence after issuance of a non-bailable warrant against her, on Friday submitted to the Supreme Court that it would not arrest her during the pendency of her plea against the NBW.

As soon as the proceedings on Nupur's plea began, a bench of justices A K Patnaik and J S Khehar expressed unhappiness over CBI's action against her and said she has to be protected.

Sensing the mood of the court, Additional Solicitor General Haren Raval, appearing for the investigating agency assured the court that no coercive action would be taken against her.

He informed the court that CBI was well aware of her movements but did not arrest her.

The bench after hearing Raval's contention said, "We have total faith in you" and referred Nupur Talwar's petition to the Chief Justice of India for its allocation to an appropriate bench for its hearing.

The bench said it had entertained Nupur's plea on Thursday under the wrong impression that it was part of her review petition, being heard by it.

Nupur Talwar, who was allegedly evading arrest in the twin murder case of her daughter Aarushi and domestic help Hemraj, was also present in the courtroom when the matter was being heard.

Earlier, the CBI had conducted raids at several places, including at the houses of her relatives in a bid to arrest Nupur after the Gaziabad court had issued a non-bailable warrant against her.

Nupur Talwar's advocate had told reporters on Thursday that she was not absconding and would appear before the Supreme Court on Friday.

She reached the court premises around 1.30 pm in the afternoon accompanied by a battery of lawyers who prevented the media from coming close to her while she was getting a pass made to attend the hearing of her case.

Nupur Talwar and her husband Rajesh Talwar are the prime suspects in the sensational double murder case of Hemraj, and their daughter Aarushi Talwar. Nupur Talwar, according to CBI officers investigating the case, was responsible for destruction of evidence. 

The CJI will next week decide on the future course of action. Nupur, at least for now, can breathe a sigh of relief as the CBI will not be able to arrest her till the CJI gives his order in the case. 

Her lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, Nupur Talwar on Thursday moved the Supreme Court against the April 09 Allahabad high court order that suspended the 30-day protection given to her. It was based on this order that the CBI court in Ghaziabad issued a non-bailable warrant against her.

With inputs from PTI