A Delhi court has cancelled the scheduled hearing in the Shraddha Walkar murder case on July 20 after accused Aaftab Amin Poonawala sought exemption from appearing before the court, citing his final MA Sociology examination at Tihar Jail. The examination is being conducted by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
Additional Sessions Judge Hargurvarinder Singh Jaggi accepted Poonawala's plea and directed that prosecution evidence be recorded from July 21 onwards at 2 pm, while the remaining dates fixed earlier will continue as scheduled.
Poonawala is facing trial for allegedly murdering his live-in partner, Shraddha Walkar, in May 2022. According to the prosecution, he allegedly strangled the 27-year-old, dismembered her body, stored the remains in a refrigerator and disposed of them over several days at different locations across Delhi. He has denied the allegations.
The trial has been underway since 2023. The chief examination of 13 prosecution witnesses has been partly recorded, while the testimony of 12 other witnesses has been deferred. The court will resume recording prosecution evidence from July 21.
