Shraddha Walkar murder trial: Court refuses to set timeline for conclusion

The court was hearing a petition by Shraddha Walkar's brother seeking an early conclusion of the trial, with Justice Madhu Jain observing that the trial court was making every effort to wrap up the case at the earliest.

In Short

• Court said the lower court is already hearing the matter daily
• Shraddha Walkar's brother sought faster closure, citing prolonged trial pendency
• Police told the court that 157 of over 200 witnesses testified

The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to fix a timeline for concluding the trial in the Shraddha Walkar murder case against Aaftab Amin Poonawala, saying the proceedings were already being held on a day-to-day basis.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Walkar's brother seeking directions for an early conclusion of the trial.

Justice Madhu Jain said the trial court was making every effort to finish the case as soon as possible.

“It is clear that the trial court is making every endeavour to conclude the trial as soon as possible. No further directions are required as the trial is going on a day to day basis,” the judge said.

Walkar, who was in a live-in relationship with the accused, was allegedly strangled by Poonawala on May 18, 2022.

According to the 6,629-page chargesheet filed by Delhi Police, Poonawala allegedly dismembered her body, kept the body parts in a fridge, and disposed of the pieces in isolated places across the city over several days to avoid getting caught. The body parts were discovered later.

Counsel for the petitioner argued that the case was moving in a tardy manner and, at that pace, the trial was unlikely to conclude in the coming years.

In his plea, petitioner Shreejay Vijay Walkar said the criminal trial had remained pending for an inordinately long period without any justifiable reason.

He said such a delay frustrated the administration of criminal justice and defeated the constitutional mandate of a speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Senior advocate Amit Prasad, appearing for Delhi Police, told the court that the trial court was already taking up the matter on a day-to-day basis, except on Saturdays and Sundays.

He said that out of more than 200 witnesses, the testimonies of 157 had already been concluded.

On the senior lawyer’s request, the High Court asked the ministries of home affairs and external affairs to expeditiously facilitate the examination of certain overseas witnesses, as and when required by the trial court. The court then closed the proceedings on the petition.

The High Court’s order means the trial will continue as it is, with day-to-day hearings already under way, while the authorities are asked to assist in examining overseas witnesses if needed.

- Ends