Delhi High Court Refuses to Intervene in Trial Timeline

The Delhi High Court on Friday declined to prescribe a fixed deadline for completing the trial in the Shraddha Walkar murder case, observing that no such direction was necessary as the proceedings before the trial court are already being conducted on a day-to-day basis.

A bench of Justice Madhu Jain disposed of a petition filed by Shraddha Walkar’s brother, who had sought directions for the trial court to conclude the case within a specified timeframe.

While refusing the request, the court noted that the trial was progressing regularly and said, “No further direction is required to pass at this stage, since trial is happening on a day-to-day basis.”

Family Says Delay Has Prevented Shraddha Walkar’s Last Rites

In the petition, Walkar’s brother argued that despite the arrest of the accused, Aftab Amin Poonawala, in November 2022 and the completion of the investigation supported by medical, forensic and digital evidence, the trial had moved at a slow pace.

The plea stated that the prolonged proceedings had caused continued emotional distress to the family because Shraddha Walkar’s remains are still being retained as material evidence in the case.

According to the petition, the family has been unable to perform her final rites due to the pending trial.

“The inability to perform these rites for years has caused immense emotional, psychological and spiritual trauma, which continues each day that the remains are withheld,” the petition stated.

The petitioner requested the High Court to direct the trial court to conclude proceedings within a fixed timeframe so that the family could finally perform the last rites.

Delhi Police Says Trial Is Progressing on a Daily Basis

Opposing the plea, Delhi Police, represented by advocate Amit Prasad, informed the High Court that the trial court has been hearing the matter on a day-to-day basis, except on weekends, and is making every effort to complete the proceedings as early as possible.

The prosecution told the court that it had cited 222 witnesses in the case. According to the status shared before the High Court, testimony of 157 witnesses has already been completed.

The prosecution further informed the bench that examination of six witnesses and cross-examination of 14 witnesses are still pending. It also said 15 witnesses have already been dropped, while another 23 witnesses are likely to be dropped during the course of the trial.

Taking note of these submissions, the High Court declined to issue any additional directions regarding the pace of the proceedings.

Background of the Shraddha Walkar Murder Case

The case relates to the alleged murder of Shraddha Walkar in May 2022. According to the prosecution, Aftab Amin Poonawala allegedly strangled his live-in partner following an argument before dismembering her body. Investigators alleged that the body parts were stored in a refrigerator at his residence in Delhi’s Chattarpur area and later disposed of over several days.

Delhi Police filed a chargesheet in January 2023, charging Poonawala with offences including murder, abduction and destruction of evidence. Investigators have relied on medical, forensic and digital evidence, along with witness testimonies, to support the prosecution’s case.

In May 2023, the trial court framed charges against Poonawala after concluding that sufficient material existed to proceed with the case. He pleaded not guilty, following which the trial formally commenced.

With the High Court declining to set a separate deadline, the trial will continue before the trial court, which is hearing the matter on a day-to-day basis.