New Delhi: The chilling events of May 18, 2022, unfolded in the Mehrauli area of Delhi, sending shockwaves across the nation. Aaftab Amin Poonawala brutally murdered his live-in partner, Sharddha Walkar, by strangulation. The horror didn’t end there. In a gruesome act, Aaftab dismembered Sharddha’s body into 35 pieces and stored them in a 300-litre refrigerator before systematically disposing of them in various parts of Delhi over several days, as if enacting a macabre nightmare.
Intensive Investigation and Mammoth Chargesheet: Laying the Foundation for Justice
Recognising the gravity of this sensational case, the Delhi Police promptly formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Investigative officers meticulously inspected the crime scene, enlisted the help of forensic experts, and initiated interrogation of Aaftab, who was taken into custody. During the initial questioning, Aaftab attempted to mislead the police, but as the investigation progressed and scientific evidence began to surface, his web of lies started to unravel.
The police launched an extensive search operation across Delhi and its surrounding areas to recover Sharddha’s body parts. After days of relentless effort, the police managed to recover some skeletal remains from the forests of Mehrauli and other locations. These remains were sent for DNA analysis, which conclusively confirmed that they belonged to Sharddha Walkar.
Given the sensitivity and complexity of the case, the Delhi Police placed a strong emphasis on scientific and technical evidence. Bloodstains, hair samples, and other biological evidence were collected from Aaftab’s residence. The refrigerator, in which Sharddha’s body parts were stored, and the weapon used to dismember her body were both recovered and sent for forensic examination. Aaftab’s mobile phone and other electronic devices were also seized, and their data was retrieved, yielding crucial clues related to the crime.
Following the exhaustive investigation and the compilation of evidence, the Delhi Police filed a voluminous chargesheet, running into 6,629 pages, in the Saket Court in January 2023. This chargesheet was a comprehensive compilation of the extensive and concrete evidence gathered by the police in this case. It included the statements of over 100 witnesses, comprising Sharddha’s friends, family members, neighbours, and individuals involved in the investigation. Additionally, the chargesheet contained forensic reports, DNA analysis reports, electronic evidence (such as call records and chats), and circumstantial evidence. This massive chargesheet marked a significant step towards bringing Aaftab Amin Poonawala to justice for his heinous crime. He was formally charged under Section 302 (murder) and Section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Judicial Process and Protracted Hearings: The Slow Wheels of Justice
After the Delhi Police filed the chargesheet, the judicial process moved forward. The Saket Court framed charges against Aaftab Amin Poonawala in May 2023. The court read out the charges of murder and destruction of evidence to Aaftab, to which he pleaded not guilty and demanded a trial. According to the law, when an accused does not admit to the charges against them, the trial begins, during which the prosecution presents its witnesses and evidence, and the defense has the opportunity to challenge them.
The Sharddha Walkar murder case is currently under trial in the Delhi Sessions Court. The Sessions Court is a district-level court that hears serious criminal cases. The trial in this case has been proceeding at a slow pace for the past year. Court procedures, the presentation of witnesses, the submission of evidence, and the arguments of the defense have all contributed to the time taken for the trial to progress.
Every hearing in this case is significant. The prosecution consistently presents the recovered skeletal remains (bones) of Sharddha, the weapon allegedly used in the murder, and the refrigerator in which her body parts were stored as crucial pieces of evidence before the court. These physical exhibits serve as a stark reminder of the brutal nature of the crime. Alongside this, the prosecution is attempting to establish Aaftab’s guilt through the testimonies of witnesses and forensic reports.
While delays are often inherent in the judicial process, the wait has been agonizing for Sharddha’s family and the general public. With each hearing, the hope for justice is rekindled, but the protracted legal proceedings often lead to frustration and despair.
The Unyielding Grief of Sharddha’s Father: A Life Broken in the Wait for Justice
Vikas Walkar, Sharddha’s father, was deeply traumatised by the brutal murder of his daughter. His pain is beyond words. After losing his daughter in such a horrific manner, he dedicated himself to seeking justice for her. He made countless trips to the courts, met with police officials, and pleaded for justice for his daughter through the media.
Vikas Walkar had also made a heartfelt request to the court to hand over the recovered remains of Sharddha’s body so that he could perform her last rites. For a father, performing the final rituals for his child is a natural and profoundly emotional process. However, due to legal procedures and the necessity of forensic examination of the remains, the court could not immediately grant his request. This was another profound blow to him.
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Tragically, in December 2024, Vikas Walkar passed away due to a heart attack while still awaiting justice for his daughter. It was a heartbreaking irony that he could not witness his daughter’s murderer being punished, nor could he perform her final rites. His death underscores the slow pace of justice in this case and the immense mental and emotional burden borne by the families of victims. Vikas Walkar’s struggle and his pain will forever be associated with this case.
Aaftab’s Comfort in Jail and Security Concerns: A Paradox of Justice?
Aaftab Amin Poonawala was arrested immediately after Sharddha Walkar’s murder came to light and has been incarcerated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail ever since. He has been lodged in cell number 4. His security inside the jail has been a matter of concern on several occasions. In the initial days, there were reports of him being assaulted by other inmates, likely due to the heinous nature of his crime. Following these incidents, the court issued strict orders to the jail administration to enhance Aaftab’s security.
However, there have also been controversies surrounding some of the alleged facilities being provided to Aaftab in jail. Media reports claimed that he was allowed to read books and had limited access to the internet. For the victim’s family and the general public, this information often seems to be a paradox of justice. Why should an individual who committed such a gruesome crime be granted special privileges in prison? This question frequently arises in people’s minds and raises doubts about the justice system.
According to jail rules, undertrial prisoners are entitled to certain basic rights, but it is the responsibility of the jail administration to ensure that these rights are not misused and that the sentiments of the victim’s family are also taken into consideration. In Aaftab’s case, the jail administration has had to balance ensuring his security with adhering to jail regulations, which is a challenging task.
The entire nation continues to demand justice for Sharddha Walkar. The Sharddha Walkar murder case, due to its sheer brutality and cold-bloodedness, has become a dark chapter in Indian crime history. This heinous act not only extinguished a young life prematurely but also raised serious questions about the safety of live-in relationships and the fabric of our society. The revelation of this horrific crime ignited a wave of grief and anger across the country. From the streets to social media, a unified demand for justice echoed. People called for the harshest possible punishment for the perpetrator, hoping to deter any future acts of such unimaginable cruelty.
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