High Court Rejects Plea to Expedite Trial Timeline
The Delhi High Court has declined a petition seeking to fix a strict time limit for completing the trial in the high-profile Shraddha Walkar murder case involving accused Aaftab Amin Poonawala. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela emphasized that trial courts handle an immense volume of cases daily and setting a rigid deadline in a single matter could inadvertently prejudice other litigants waiting for justice.
The court noted that judicial proceedings must follow due process without arbitrary time constraints imposed by superior courts. While acknowledging the gravity and public interest surrounding the gruesome case, the bench reiterated that the trial court is best positioned to manage its calendar and determine the pace of prosecution and defense arguments.
Key Arguments Raised in the Petition
The plea was filed by Vikas Walkar, the victim’s father, who urged the court to direct the trial court to conclude the proceedings within a stipulated timeframe, preferably on a day-to-day basis. The petitioner argued that delays in examining key witnesses and recording scientific evidence were prolonged, causing immense anguish to the family and raising concerns over the potential fading of witness memory over time.
Additionally, the petitioner highlighted the complex forensic nature of the case, which relies heavily on DNA matching, call detail records, and circumstantial evidence. The plea submitted that an expedited trial was essential to ensure swift justice and to maintain public faith in the criminal justice delivery system.
Current Status of the Shraddha Walkar Murder Trial
Aaftab Amin Poonawala is accused of strangling his live-in partner, Shraddha Walkar, in May 2022 at their rented accommodation in South Delhi’s Chhatarpur area. He allegedly chopped her body into 35 pieces, stored them in a refrigerator, and disposed of them across various locations in the capital over several weeks to conceal the crime.
The Delhi Police filed a comprehensive charge sheet spanning over 6,600 pages in early 2023, charging Poonawala under Sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code. The trial court framed charges against Poonawala in May 2023, and the matter is currently at the stage of prosecution evidence, where key forensic experts, police investigators, and public witnesses are actively being examined.
