Aarushi Talwar murder: it is a shocking, sad day for India, says defence lawyer Rebecca John

In the murder trial of 13-year-old Aarushi Talwar and domestic help Hemraj, a case that has gripped the nation for over five years, the quantum of sentence was delivered today. On Monday the CBI court had delivered a guilty verdict to the parents, Rajesh and Nupur Talwar for murdering their daughter and Hemraj.

Today, the couple was sentenced to life, with an addition of five years for destruction of evidence, and a year for false FIR.

Also a fine of Rs 18, 000 has been imposed on Rajesh, Rs 15,000 on Nupur.

Following are the reactions on the verdict and the sentence:

• Serious miscarriage of justice, we'll be appealing to Allahabad High Court. For the agents who asked for the closure of this case, for them to turn around and ask for the death sentence is shocking.I think it is a shocking, sad day for India. Never seen such a witch-hunt and this is a blatant abuse of power. There has been no fresh evidence introduced. Critical evidence which could have gone in Talwars favour was not allowed to be introduced
  Rebecca John, Talwars' lawyer 26-11-2013
• Media or people have no right to reach to conclusions. Higher courts will appreciate the same evidence.
  lawyer & activist Flavia Agnes 26-11-2013
• Travesty of justice, should not have to choose between life sentence and death sentence
  Masooma Jha, Talwars' family friend 26-11-2013
• Vindictive... as a family we're screaming in a vacuumThe "freaks" are the investigating agency
  Shree Paradkar, Aarushi's aunt 26-11-2013

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