An alleged accused in the sensational Noida double-murder case was released on bail by a local court in Ghaziabad despite opposition from the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Vijay Mandal was granted bail by the court following a bail plea moved by the accused that the agency did not have any proof to name him as an accused in the Aarushi-Hemraj murder case.
The judge, after hearing the arguments from both sides, granted bail to Mandal on a surety of Rs 25,000.
Let us grieve for Aarushi, family members tell media
The CBI, however, opposed the bail application on the ground that the investigations are in progress and Mandal could escape or damage evidence which might still exist.
However, his lawyer contended that the agency had not been able to collect any evidence against his client in spite of Mandal being arrested in July.
Talwar freed on bail after CBI clean chit
The case had attracted tremendous public attention as the Noida police had initially goofed up the investigation, leaving gaping holes in the case even as it arrested Aarushi's father Dr Rajesh Talwar for the twin murder.
Later on, after severe criticism, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati transferred the case to the CBI on June 1.