The Delhi Police has completed its arguments in the case of the murder of Shraddha Walkar, who was allegedly killed by her live-in partner, Aaftab Amin Poonawala, in Mehrauli, south Delhi. The accused was present in the Saket court, along with the victim’s father. The police stated that there is reliable evidence linking Aaftab to the murder and destruction of evidence, leading to an inevitable conclusion of his guilt under sections 302/201 of the Indian Penal Code.
The Additional Sessions Judge, Manisha Khurana Kakar, granted time to the Legal Aid Counsel, Javed Hussain, to respond to the police’s arguments. The case has been listed for further arguments on March 25.
The Special Public Prosecutors, Amit Prasad and Madhukar Pandey, presented six relevant circumstances and three eyewitnesses who last saw the victim before her murder. They also highlighted the violent past of the accused and victim’s live-in relationship.
The Delhi Police stated that they received documents from Mumbai’s Vasai Police Station, related to Shraddha’s complaint against Aaftab on November 23, 2022, wherein she alleged that he abused, beat her, threatened to kill her, and cut her into pieces.
The counsel for the Delhi Police submitted audio-video recordings of Shraddha’s online counseling from the “Practo” app. In the recording, she was heard saying that Aaftab will hunt her, find her, and kill her. She also confessed to being choked by Aaftab, causing her to black out and be unable to breathe.
Digital evidence and three mobile phones of Shraddha were also submitted to the court, along with limited social activity to create a facade that she was still alive. The SPPs argued that there is evidence of transactions from Shraddha’s two bank accounts and a credit card. The police also submitted evidence of the purchase of a refrigerator, saw blade, water, cleaner, and incense sticks.
The SPPs added that bones, jaw, and blood were found in the fridge and almirah of the room and different locations, and the identification was established through DNA sampling.
