Shraddha Walkar Murder Case: Friend Questions Delay In Aaftab Poonawala Trial After Delhi Court Defers Hearing
Shraddha Walkar's friend Rajat Shukla questioned the delay in Aaftab Poonawala's trial after the Saket Court deferred the hearing, urging speedy justice for the victim's family
Days after a Delhi court deferred the hearing in the 2022 Shraddha Walkar murder case after accused Aaftab Amin Poonawala sought time to appear for his IGNOU examination, Shraddha's friend Rajat Shukla questioned the delay in the trial, saying justice had been denied to the victim's family.
Speaking to ANI, Shukla urged the judiciary to expedite the proceedings and opposed any relief being extended to Poonawala, who is facing trial for allegedly murdering his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar and dismembering her body in 2022.
"We must remember that Aftab is the same person who cut her body into 35 pieces so brutally. He still hasn't been hanged. Four years have passed since this happened. It's a great pity that Saket Court or any other court should show him any mercy. If mercy is to be shown, then you should show some mercy to the few remaining members of Shraddha's family," Shukla said.
He further claimed that Shraddha's last rites are yet to be performed as her mortal remains have not been returned. "Shraddha hasn't been cremated yet... Her body hasn't been returned yet, which is why her last rites haven't been performed," he alleged.
Shukla also criticised the pace of the criminal trial, expressing concern that despite the seriousness of the allegations, the proceedings had not concluded even after four years. "There are hundreds, lakhs, and crores of cases pending in the court... But in such a serious case like Shraddha's, four years have passed, and the trial hasn't even been conducted," he said.
Referring to the recent adjournment granted after Poonawala informed the court that he would be appearing for his Master of Arts (Sociology) examination at an IGNOU examination centre inside Tihar Jail, Shukla questioned the relief extended to the accused. "In this ongoing case involving Aftab, they're showing him mercy so he doesn't face any mental pressure during his exams. Why aren't people paying attention to his mentality? Does the judiciary have no responsibility left?" he remarked.
Shukla further argued that delays in high-profile criminal trials could embolden offenders. "After Aftab cut her into 35 pieces, many others cut people into many more pieces. Someone boiled someone in a cooker, someone burned and put someone in a drum," he said, adding that prolonged trials send an undesirable message regarding accountability for grave offences.
Calling the situation "shameful," he urged authorities to prioritise the case and ensure that justice is delivered without further delay.
His remarks came after the Saket Court cancelled the hearing scheduled for July 20 after Poonawala informed the court that it coincided with his university examination. The matter has since been adjourned.
Poonawala is facing trial for allegedly murdering Shraddha Walkar in May 2022. According to the prosecution, he allegedly strangled her, dismembered her body into multiple pieces and disposed of the remains over several days in the Mehrauli forest area.
The case came to light in November 2022 after Shraddha's family was unable to contact her and approached the police. An FIR was subsequently registered at Mehrauli Police Station, leading to Poonawala's arrest. Shraddha's father, Vikas Walkar, who had relentlessly pursued the case, passed away in 2025. The trial in the sensational murder case is presently pending before the Saket Court.
Background of the Case