A suspect becomes a victim in a brutal double homicide

Case 253: Aarushi Talwar & Hemraj Banjade
** Content warning: child victim, sexual assault **
When Rajesh and Nupur Talwar went to wake their 13-year-old daughter Aarushi on the morning of Friday, May 16 2008, the couple were shocked to find her brutally murdered in her bed.
Police in their Delhi suburb of Noida were summoned, and the Talwars wasted no time in naming their 45-year-old servant, Hemraj Banjade, as a suspect. But when a second body was found in their apartment, investigators began to wonder if the perpetrator was someone closer to home…
CREDITS
Narration - Anonymous Host
Research & writing - Erin Munro
Creative direction - Milly Raso
Production and music - Mike Migas
Music - Andrew D.B. Joslyn
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[@lindc1070]

It is very unlikely a 13 year old would choose to have an illicit relationship with a 45 year old man. She could have chosen a teen boy.

[@no_peace]

It's total nonsense

[@danrobinson572]

Police did a terrible job on securing the crime scene.

[@susanaldridge2000]

Maybe police let families settle matters there…

[@Valeria-mq3qn]

What didn’t the police do a terrible job at? So frustrating!

[@danrobinson572]

@@Valeria-mq3qn let those people into the house messing up evidence

[@jerrymarshall2095]

Go join a police force and show em how it's done or shut that suck and be glad a pile like you doesn't have to risk your life for total strangers for low pay and little appreciation.

[@charliekezza]

Or search the crime scene

[@charliekezza]

The inaccuracies in the autopsy make me want to scream. He is just as good as the cops and by 'good' I mean shit.

[@KingHayabusa384]

The content quality of this channel is amazing.

[@diawesthues7504]

I agree. It's superior!

[@bostonsandatot4948]

It's been a top true crime podcast for years

[@rmooreg]

The authorities in this case should have simply announced " Due to the investigation being botched beyond all repair and the crime scene and physical evidence gathered were compromised to such a degree that this case cannot and will never be solved to any degree of certainty. We regret this outcome and apologize for the incompetence of all involved. No further official participation or involvement will be forthcoming. The case is classified as unsolved , permanently inactive."

[@loredanadincu4300]

Umm, no. Is not only the cops fault. Her parents as physicians should have known better. They let everyone get into the apartment before even cops show up an hour later. What evidence do you want to be processed when the crime scene was already tainted with. Let's start with the parents who touched and moved things and continue with the rest of the family, friends, and neighbors . It was already to late for the cops to do anything. They should have called the cops first then the family, friends and all that.

[@nicak89]

The Ramsey's did the same thing, Patsy Invited friends, family and most of her neighbourhood to house before the police arrived

[@loredanadincu4300]

@nicak89 and what that got them? There are multiple cases where this happens. There was another one in Florida if I recall correctly. Call the cops first, not the whole family, friends, and neighbors. Yes, there were multiple cases where the cops messed up on their own. But in this type of case is not only their fault.

[@nicak89]

@@loredanadincu4300 I know. I'm not blaming the cops solely, there were errors all around. I definitely think the police screwed it up from the start. The family didn't help, the mother and father seemed suspicious but everyone grieves in diffirent ways and the original investigator insinuating the 13 year old murder victim was "Promiscuous" was just ridiculous and kind of shows me the kind of mindset some of the cops there have. They were grasping at straws and caving under pressure. A brutal double murder like that in a neighborhood like that would have created all kinds of pressure, fear and more importantly desperation to catch whoever was responsible.

[@loredanadincu4300]

@nicak89 The promiscuous thing may have something to do with their culture and religion. It isn't the USA, Australia or Europe is India. And grieving doesn't include calling all your friends , family, and neighbors a few minutes after you ground your daughter murdered. They should have first called the cops . They didn't do that. From what I understood, the female servant alerted the security who called. The parents who supposedly were physicians thought of calling their family and friends first. And the male servant was on the terrace for days decomposing, and you tell me no one smells a thing .

[@Jeyferret]

Being judged for how you grieve is no joke at all. I was furious during our sons killers trial. I wouldnt cry in court and even though the evidence of his guilt was OVERWHELMING (CCTV, multiple witnesses, video confession) the jury acquitted him. I will forever believe it was because e werent the "perfect victims" for them. Its not about evidence anymore, its about the SHOW..

[@rosered103]

I am sorry for your loss. I understand how hard it is for you that Justice was not served. Time to take the Perpetrator to Civil Court. Fight for Justice in your own way. Be strong!

[@1888.cfc.]

Shocking. I'm sorry for your loss🕊

[@leyla2210]

I lack words, am so angered and sorry for your loss. Yes, sometimes it is indeed about "show" more so than evidence, sadly.

[@lisasteel6817]

Juries are stupid, there is a reason the term “the lowest common denominator” exists in relation to people’s understanding of complex ideas.

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

I'm so sorry for your loss, for the sense of guilt imposed by the injustice you suffered.

[@vaiscilia]

Being an Indian and admirer of CASEFILE PRESENTS..... I always knew my fav bro will eventually take up this case due to its nature of being one of the most sensational and notorious cases that had ever taken place in Indian crime history . Police have greatly failed in bringing the killer to justice ....I was in my early 20s when this crime had occurred and could still remember the sensation it created...only God and the killer or killers themselves know who really killed them.....may God rest their poor unfortunate souls in peace which they'll never find I believe.

[@danae2882]

Casefile is by far the best true crime podcast. Thank you, you give me so many hours of quality entertainment & intelligent exchanges. Aguyje 🙏🏻

[@HaramXL]

Appreciate everything that you do ❤

[@falak5906]

I've been hoping to see this case covered by you. Thank you so much for doing it!

[@rkh7904]

The crime scene contaminated when the couple didnot call the police as soon as they discovered their dead daughter but allowed the maid, family, neighbours etc to contaminate the scene..I saw this crime in another documentary a few years ago. I was absolutely gob smacked at the bungled investigation.

[@angelineholt7389]

What a sad case. This should be taught to all police and forensic investigators there as to what NOT to do.

[@hinduhillbilly]

The idea that the parents did this is just ridiculous. Why would they be so diligent in cleaning up their daughter's body and bedroom and then leave a bloody whiskey glass in plain sight? Every time the police made a case it seemed entirely fictional.

[@napoleonbonerfart278]

They did it. Couldn't handle their daughter being a skeez.

[@pamelaibarra790]

They made theories with no evidence to back it up. They just ran with a theory for everyone and they all led to making the girl seem promiscuous. She was killed so of course it had to be because shes a whore. Why else would any one want her dead? 🙄 notice the only theory that made her a real victim in their eyes was before Hemraj was found dead. This is how women are seen over there unfortunately. Look at how the media completely destroyed her image. This case is insane. I think she was being killed by one of hemraj's visitors and he walked in and became collateral damage. That's my theory. They had a confession.

[@pamelaibarra790]

​@@napoleonbonerfart278I hope you're just being a troll

[@corylatimer]

This. And also after the case was first closed by the police, why would they insist it get reopened if they were guilty?There is so much evidence which goes against the parents being the perpetrators that it boggles my mind that some people still think it was them.

[@Missajoshash]

Agree with all the comments. Best channel ever

[@rhondamcewananderson3968]

Countless mistakes! Wow. Thanks Casefile!! 👍

[@susanaldridge2000]

How can some stand living in an apt complex with 10,000 people? Why did they not immediately call police? Why just security?

[@melissabergeron1708]

Was wondering the same thing. Let’s call family and friends first… oh wait an hour THEN call police?!

[@rosered103]

@@melissabergeron1708 It was the maid who said let's call Police.

[@Loralanthalas]

The last time I called police it took them 56 minutes to show up at dead end road. They watched the murder murder AGAIN and since the three cops were also busy running from bullets they let the murder go for the 2nd time in 2 weeks. Phoenix Arizona October 2022.

[@amandasiddle6571]

Appreciate you Casefile thanku for being my guilty pleasure 😜

[@rileytherandom]

how does a toilet look like it was used by multiple people? unless servants get buckets lmaooo

[@danrobinson572]

Great video CaseFile!!!

[@desiferber4329]

at this point, I don’t trust a lick of the evidence in this case. There were too many contradicting statements, and the idea that a man who had never done a female Autopsy before should be trusted on a single word he said? Even if a more competent person looked at the report after the fact, I don’t trust that the information he was looking at was accurate, being gathered by someone completely incompetent. Why did they never look at her fifteen year old boyfriend? He said she was “easy” and slut-shamed her and nobody looked at him further, or interviewed her friends about what he said about her being “easy?” Even after failing to secure the crime scene, the case may have been salvageable if they’d just followed up some of these other leads instead of getting railroaded. And there was never any real proof of the supposed affair, kada? I know honor killings happen, but I don’t believe this was one of them. What a cock-up

[@tapanv3]

Whoa! Finally the wait is over! Thanks!

[@VegemiteQueen1]

It would have been nice, when referring to Aarushi seemingly having 'intimate relations' with a 45yo man, to hear a reminder that Aarushi was THIRTEEN and any such 'relationship' would not have been her responsibility. One theory I feel is always left out is the reversal of this, perhaps Hemraj heard something suspicious, took one of the golf clubs stored in his bedroom, entered Aarushi's bedroom and was surprised to find her father doing something inappropriate. Did her father then gain control of the golf club, and kill both Hemraj and Aarushi in order to cover up whatever he had been doing? Very sad that the evidence was so mishandled that this case will never be solved. Also incredibly sad is, I am sure, the many, many horrific crimes in this country that are not publicized due to the lack of wealth of the victims.

[@makpusak1897]

I totally agree with you

[@nicak89]

I also agree. I believe someone was abusing Aarushi or at least tried to do so when they were interrupted. The police mishandled this horrendously from the beginning, they mishandled it so badly I'm left wondering whether or not that was intentional

[@nicak89]

Also I know that humans are complex and grieve differently but the father was Sus AF

[@VegemiteQueen1]

@@nicak89 I think it probably was intentional sadly, knowing the family has more money than many in the area.

[@loyisad1211]

It's clear it was the servants. Im not sure why we have to accuse the father with no proof. The parents were in charge of the crime scene and never got rid of the bottle and even reminded the police to find the second body.

[@blackkittens.]

You the best Casefile ☆☆☆

[@ZakBurrell]

Work Mike appreciate the presentation

[@thisismyname1888]

I'm sorry, but what year is this?? Was it EVERY police officers first day or something? Sounds like not a single person in that town has common sense.

[@icequeen9417]

Amazed I remembered peoples names. You have done a great job with this video due to location names and the amount of detail in this story You deserve a slot on tv.

[@AngieAitch]

never heard of this case, gosh! i was twisting and turning, blaming and regretting like a loon haha...Thank you so much as always x

[@MR-pv7qg]

Interesting as always ❤thx

[@HoundTor]

Interesting to see the Indian justice system evolve with this case.

[@Maligroot]

Thanks Mate 👍🇦🇺

[@texastea5686]

Omg... her letter to Santa Claus 😭😭😭

[@itallia666]

These Policemen make the Keystone Cops look like top ranking FBI 🇬🇧👧

[@kegantetz972]

It does seem like the parents are the most likely suspects but you can’t convict someone for “most likely” it seems like the police got embarrassed by their failure and gross incompetence and just picked someone to finger so they could slap a pretty bow on the case they brutally failed at building

[@mittensthecat2582]

why isnt DNA a tool in india? and murdered victims cremated straight away? smh

[@DinoCism]

Why waste money when the cops think they can figure cases out through the state of the art science of prejudice and psychological projection?

[@no_peace]

It was all contaminated

[@rosezielinski5750]

Brilliant as usual

[@no_peace]

I have waking dreams (nightmares). One time in the summer my window was open and I "saw" someone coming through with a chainsaw. I screamed bloody murder, my cat was terrified and took a flying leap off the window sill. No one else woke up or checked on me. I was about 20' from one person and 40' max from two other people. The next day I pointed fingers and they had no idea. It made me scared to be in my house tbh. People can't hear you

[@Nick-O-Maniac]

Very well researched video 👍

[@MsLucia4179]

Crime Junkies did a podcast on this case not long ago, that's how I learned about it. That being said I prefer Casefiles and their take on it. Matter of fact, sticking to the details while CJ sound full of themselves and inserting themselves into the case, very off putting

[@fearlounge]

My new favorite channel! ❤

[@KathleenCalhoun-em6ys]

The police, the media, the slasher, as well as the justice system owe this poor family a big apology. The murderer was likely Chrishna, the last ones to see the murdered man alive and also the one who must have murdered the girl as well...I mean, despite all the contradictions and the supposed alibis, one thing stands out and is not in dispute, and this is that Himragh had company over that night...three depressions on a mat..three glasses and drinks...Chrishna's admission he was with there that night even before the sodium pentathol incident...it makes sense.

[@raven6565]

This case was so all over the damned place that I don't know what to believe. Everything contradicts itself. Plus, the serious pieces of evidence are either questioable or unatanable due to corruption from an unsecured crime scene.

[@nilimawanjari1264]

Hey just came across your channel.i subscribed❤

[@theslyfox91]

I think it was the Bart Simpson doll that killed the young girl

[@LaserPeckford]

Second!!! Dang it!

[@linzihorrocks7375]

There i was thinking, 'ah yeh...that makes sense' then 'ah no, that makes more sense' then ' no thats deffo what happened' eventually 'Ah fek it, i give up!' A bit like all the investigators involved really! 😮

[@no_peace]

They really just make up any old thing

[@Lopyswine]

Who locks their bedroom door? That is bizarre.

[@spice-x]

I did when I was a kid. It’s pretty normal.

[@Lopyswine]

@@spice-x no way. My parents would never allow a locked door. Neither would it grandparents aunts or uncles. It was the same for my friends. The only doors with locks are the bathroom.

[@spice-x]

@@Lopyswine you must live in a strange place, then. I’m in a pretty conservative area and it’s not weird here.

[@Lopyswine]

@@spice-x grew up in the Midwest.

[@lindc1070]

I used to after watching scary movies on TV

[@moondancer4660]

You do dishes everyday but you don't do floors everyday nor do you dust every day. Make the beds everyday maybe instead

[@donspain7888]

its always great story telling here

[@razer0072073]

Is this a robot voice or real voice?

[@itallia666]

He is real! I watched an old Australian crime programme in a rural farm setting community. The Police there had set up a kind of radio show where people could ring in with info or discuss a cold case etc. There was a young guy who was a young policeman & he sort of ran this radio phone in. I remembered his voice because it was quite distinctive, the way he pronounced words in a certain way & his aimiable way of speaking. The first time i heard Casefiles years ago, i recognised the young cops voice! Its the Anonymous Narrator who was the young policeman. I think hes still in L.E. so its why he remains nameless. But HE definately is REAL! Peace 🇬🇧👧

[@davidmayhew8083]

Santa's can be like that! And God is even worse!

[@susanaldridge2000]

The names are too complicated for me to understand and remember the people involved. I never heard of a 14 year old locking her bedroom door at night.

[@HoundTor]

Sounds like a middle class thing to me.

[@susanaldridge2000]

@@HoundTor which? Locking the door or not remembering the foreign names?

[@loyisad1211]

Since they had male servants, it seem like a normal behavior to me.

[@HoundTor]

@@susanaldridge2000 Both I guess. “Hello Jeeves!” - “my name is Frank”… Growing up in a large, working class household in rural SouthWest England privacy for the kids was nonexistent.

[@spice-x]

I did. There wasn’t really any reason for it. It’s just something kids do.

[@christinaperrigo]

Wait a minute. She was 14/15 and believed in Santa Clause? Ummm 🤔🤨

[@FabricofTime]

She was 13.

[@christinaperrigo]

@@FabricofTime Wait a minute. She was 13 and believed in Santa Clause? Ummm 🤔🤨

[@harrymarsee2782]

She was 14 and sexually active; but, we are expected to believe that she still believed in Santa Claus! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@loyisad1211]

No matter what excuses they make, most people claim the parents are guilty simply because they hold the hilarious notion that Rich = always bad; poor = always good. The evidence clearly shows it was the servants.

[@DinoCism]

The evidence shows the exact opposite. You clearly come from the Rich = Good, Poor = Bad mentality of the backwards Indian cops. The "servant" who was actually a human being never got a chance to defend himself.

[@loyisad1211]

​@@DinoCismwhat evidence? The Hilarious Gynocology flip-flops? The coached witnesses? The evidence explained away as typos? The discredited AC, and internet router excuses? What a joke. Okay I'll put it another way. Liberal urban types = Bad/Traditional gawar types = Good. Hemraj's wife obviously blames the Talwars. She's not going to blame fellow Nepalis. Did you sleep through the part where Bharati clearly said she was coached.

[@rosered103]

@loyisad Back that statement up with evidence and a clear and logical mind.

[@rosered103]

@loyisad Think through your comment. The placing of the favourite toys and blanket over her. Who knew what her favourite toys were? IMO The placing of the toys is showing "I'm Sorry, I'm leaving you with your favourite toys to keep you company." Covering her up is remorse. To me this was up close and personal. Was one spouse getting back at another spouse for a wrong doing? By taking away the person you love the most.

[@loyisad1211]

@@rosered103 It wasn't her favourite toys. It was just the toys that were at hand. So yeah the toys at hand may have been her favourite..simple logic here. Who told cbi they were her favourite? Placing toys on her is simple covering up the body. You're using junk forensic profiling to try to blame the parents when hard physical evidence points away from them. As for concealing victims "Their results, which will be published in an upcoming issue of APA's Psychology, Public Policy and Law, indicate that, in contrast to some earlier findings, almost all serial murderers show some level of organization. Organized behaviors--like positioning or concealing a victim's body--are the "core variables" that tend to show up most frequently and co-occur with other variables most often, he found." Even serial killers conceal victims so where does that leave us.

[@lukapopovic6668]

I cannot believe that the father let his male employees have access to his and his daughter's private rooms. I believe he did it

[@robert2695]

It was the father