On Friday (15th March), the Delhi High Court directed the Tihar jail authorities to allow Aaftab Poonawalla, the accused in the Shraddha Walkar murder case, to be released from solitary confinement for eight hours each day, in accordance with jail regulations, during daylight hours.
New Delhi: Today (15 March), the Delhi High Court directed Tihar jail authorities to modify the confinement conditions of Aaftab Poonawalla, a key figure in the Shraddha Walkar murder case. The decision grants Poonawalla eight hours of daylight release, adhering to jail regulations.
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The Delhi High Court, comprising Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Girish Kathpalia, issued a directive concerning the confinement of Aaftab Poonawalla, a central figure in the Shraddha Walkar murder case. During the hearing of a habeas corpus plea filed by Poonawalla, the court emphasized the necessity of balancing security concerns with humane treatment.
Poonawalla had raised concerns about the stringent solitary confinement measures imposed by Tihar jail authorities, which restricted his movement to merely one hour each in the morning and evening. He argued against the prolonged isolation, citing that other inmates enjoyed eight hours of daylight release. His legal counsel highlighted the absence of any infractions during his time in custody since March 2023.
Representing the Tihar authorities, the Delhi Government’s Standing Counsel (Criminal) Sanjay Lao emphasized the security threats against Poonawalla, referencing a previous assault incident during his transfer to a forensic facility. The trial court consequently enhanced the security measures for his protection.
Upon careful consideration of both parties’ arguments, the court ruled in favor of Poonawalla’s plea, acknowledging the need for a more balanced approach. Consequently, Poonawalla will now have the opportunity for eight hours of daytime release while remaining confined at night for security reasons.
Aaftab Poonawalla faces charges related to the murder of his former partner, Shraddha Walker, as well as accusations under Section 201 of the Indian Penal Code for tampering with evidence. Their relationship, initiated through a popular dating application, transitioned from Mumbai to Delhi before culminating in tragedy in May 2022.
Shraddha Walkar was a 27-year-old Indian woman who was murdered by her 28-year-old boyfriend and live-in partner, Aaftab Amin Poonawala, in Delhi on May 18, 2022. Walkar’s father accused Poonawala of waging what he called “love jihad.”.
According to police investigations, Walkar was allegedly killed by Poonawalla following a domestic dispute at a residence in Mehrauli. Subsequently, Poonawalla purportedly dismembered her body, disposing of it across various locations in the city over an 18-day period.
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Initially, the accused was remanded to police custody and later to judicial custody. Despite a previous dismissal of a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking a transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
