Aftab Would Quarrel, Beat Her Up: Shraddha Walkar's Brother Tells Court

Sharaddha Walkar's brother Shreejay Walkar testified against 28-year-old Aftab Poonawala in Delhi's Saket court as trial began and statement of prosecution witnesses in the case were recorded on Thursday. The proceedings saw the prosecution record statements from witnesses shedding light on the tumultuous relationship between Sharaddha and Aaftab.

According to Shreejay's testimony, two weeks after Sharaddha left her family home, she confided in him about the disturbingly frequent verbal and physical confrontations with Aftab. Shockingly, she revealed that Aftab would subject her to occasional physical abuse, painting a distressing portrait of their troubled relationship.

Alarmed by his sister's revelations, Shreejay wasted no time in informing their mother about the distressing situation. "We pleaded with her, urging Sharaddha to end the toxic relationship and return home," he recalled. However, Sharaddha disclosed that Aftab would consistently apologize after each fight, convincing her to forgive him and persist in the relationship.

Tragically, their mother, who had been a pillar of support for Sharaddha, passed away in January of the previous year. Shreejay expressed deep concern, stating, "Sharaddha chose to stay with Aftab, and the heated arguments continued. We were profoundly unhappy with her decision to remain in such an unhealthy relationship. As we witnessed her increasing dependence on Aftab, our interactions with her dwindled significantly."

Additionally, Shreejay revealed that Sharaddha sought solace in their family home when their mother was unwell. However, contact between Shreejay and his sister gradually diminished after mid-2021, until it was ultimately severed. "I last saw my sister in February 2020. While she maintained contact with her classmates Shivani Mhatre and Lakshmanan Nadar, from mid-2021 onwards, I was unable to reach her as her phone remained switched off or unreachable," Shreejay recounted.

During the court proceedings on Thursday, the testimonies of two additional witnesses were recorded. Among them were an auto driver and a neighbor residing in Chhatarpur, the same locality where Sharaddha and Aftab lived. The witnesses' statements are expected to provide crucial insight into the troubled dynamics of their relationship.

The court adjourned the case, setting the next hearing for July. As the trial progresses, the testimony of Shreejay Walkar and the accounts of the other witnesses serve as compelling evidence in the pursuit of justice for Sharaddha Walkar. The courtroom remains a crucial arena where the truth surrounding this troubled relationship will be unveiled, bringing hope for closure and accountability.

The beginning of the end

Shraddha Walker had met Aftab Amin Poonawalla from a dating app, Bumble in 2019 in Maharashtra.

The couple had left Mumbai and spent a lot of time in the hills in March and April. They arrived in Delhi on May 8 and stayed at different places until they moved into the Chhattarpur apartment on May 15.

The two had been bickering over suspicion that Aftab was cheating on her. She was murdered three days later and the crime came to light only in November.