[Shraddha Murder Case] “Miscommunication”: Accused Aftab Poonawala withdraws his bail plea filed before Delhi Court

Aftab Amin Poonawala- accused of murdering his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar and chopping her body into multiple pieces, withdrew his bail application in the case today before a Delhi Court.

During the hearing, the counsel for Aftab informed Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Vrinda Kumari, Saket Court that he is not pressing the regular bail application. He also sought liberty to withdraw his application. Furthermore, he informed the court that there has been some “miscommunication”.

The ASJ through video-conferencing confirmed the same from the accused, Aftab, who confirmed that he is not pressing his bail application at this stage. Accordingly, the court dismissed Aftab’s bail application as withdrawn.

While dismissing the bail plea, ASJ Kumari said, “Kindly inform Aftab that he cannot sign the Vakalatnama and say that he did not know that a bail application is being filed”.

On December 16, Aftab moved a regular bail application, and when the matter was taken up by the ASJ on December 17, the court noted, “Even though the present bail application is supported by a V/N upon which thumb impression and signatures of the applicant-accused duly attested by the Deputy Superintendent, Central Jail No. 4 are affixed, a correspondence dated 16.12.2022 has been received vide email dated 16.12.2022 at 6:25 PM from Deputy Superintendent, Central Jail No. 4 along with a handwritten application of the applicant-accused.”

Aftab in his handwritten application stated that the present bail application had been filed erroneously and he had no prior communication with his counsel.

Taking note of the letter, the court interacted with Aftab through video conferencing, wherein he stated that even though he had signed the vakalatnama but he was not aware that a bail application would be filed on his behalf. Aftab had also requested the court to keep the application pending, and sought a legal interview with his counsel, before pressing the bail application.

On his request, the ASJ had said, “At request on behalf of applicant-accused, the present bail application be taken up for further consideration on 22.12.2022.”

Background:

Aftab Poonawala was arrested on November 12, after Shraddha’s father filed a complaint against him. Shraddha and Aftab were living as live-in partners in Mehrauli, Delhi. According to sources, Aftab had killed Shraddha six months before his arrest. It is alleged that Aftab chopped Shraddha’s body into 35 parts and drew it in different places in Delhi.

Case Title: State v. Aftab Amin Poonawala