Shraddha murder case: Court lists case for hearing on arguments on charges against Aaftab

The case against Aaftab Amin Poonawala, accused of strangling his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar and chopping her body into 35 pieces, was scheduled for March 7 in Delhi’s Saket court. Manisha Khurana Kakkar, an Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ), was assigned to hear the case. On March 7, ASJ Kakkar scheduled a hearing on charge arguments. Aaftab was physically brought into the courtroom. He also communicated with his counsel.

The Shraddha murder case was assigned to ASJ Kakkar by Principal District and Sessions Judge Narottam Kaushal for further hearing. Aaftab’s Legal Aid Counsel (LAC) was also Advocate Brijesh Oberoi. Advocate M S Khan, on the other hand, stated in court that he is the counsel for the accused. When a private counsel is engaged, a LAC cannot be appointed. Aftab has also not stated a desire for a LAC. He also stated that if any other private counsel appears for the accused, he will withdraw his ‘vakalatnama’.

On February 21, the magistrate court referred the case to the Sessions Court. The charge sheet filed against Aftab Amin Poonawala was taken into consideration by Metropolitan magistrate Aviral Shukla on February 7. On January 24, Delhi police filed a massive 6629-page charge sheet against Aftab Amin Poonawala in the Shraddha Walkar murder case. The charge sheet is 6629 pages long, including annexures. The judge described it as “voluminous.” The charge sheet was filed in accordance with sections 302, 201, and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The charge was filed by Delhi police before the 90-day investigation period expired.

During the investigation, Delhi police conducted a narcoanalysis test, a polygraph test, and collected DNA evidence to prove Aftab’s allegations. Aftab is accused of strangling his live-in partner in the Mehrauli area in May 2022. He allegedly cut the deceased’s body into 35 pieces after the alleged strangulation. Previously, the court dismissed Aftab Poonawala’s bail application after he withdrew it.