'Faced pressure to hide rape angle in Aarushi's post-mortem'

A senior police officer and a crucial witness in the Aarushi-Hemraj murder case on Thursday deposed before a special CBI court that he faced pressure to suppress the rape angle in the postmortem of the teenager.

Former Noida superintendent of police K K Gautam, during chief examination told the court that chairman of Noida Eye Hospital, Sushil Chaudhry, a friend of Aarushi’s uncle Dinesh Talwar, had called him and requested him to hide the rape angle in the postmortem.
However, he said that he refused to oblige. Gautam also told the trial court that he was asked to ensure expeditious postmortem.

Gautam is the first crucial witness out of the 13 who have been directed to depose before September 17. He said Chaudhry also called him on May 17, 2008 morning to accompany him to the condolence meeting for Aarushi.

They both went there and attended the condolence meeting, where Chaudhry introduced him to Dinesh, Gautam said.

The witness identified Dinesh in the court on Thursday.  Dinseh took him to Aarushi and Hemraj’s room and near the staircase which led to the roof there were blood stains. Gautam said Dinesh also asked for the lock at the staircase to be opened.

When station officer Dataram Nauneria reached there Dinsesh said he did not have the key to he staircase and the lock was then broken.

A lot of blood was found on the roof and a body was dragged to a corner. When asked about the body but Dinesh feigned ignorance about his identity.

Meanwhile, the Superintendent of Police (City) had also reached the spot.  The Talwars’ counsel also crossed examined the witness. Further hearing will continue on Friday