Shraddha Walkar Murder Accused Aaftab Poonawala to Appear for MA Exam from Tihar Jail, Court Grants Relief

Remember Delhi's Shraddha Walkar murder case 2022? Yes the same case in which the live-in relationship partner Aaftab chopped her partner's body into 35 pieces.

Well in the latest development on that case - the Delhi High Court has deferred the proceedings of the murder trial on July 20 as the accused - Aaftab Amin Poonawala said that he is scheduled to appear for his final MA Sociology exams inside the Tihar Jail on the same afternoon.

Hence the court accepted his request for exemption from physical appearance and directed that evidence recording resume from July 21.

More sessions Hargurvarinder Singh Jaggi ordered this on July 8, stating that the terminal examinations of Poonawala, which were organized by the Indira Gandhi National Open University, were to be conducted between July 11 and July 20 at the examination centre located in Central Jail No. 3, Tihar. Poonawala is a detainee there in the murder case.

Court notes Aaftab Poonawala's exam schedule

Poonawala stated in the court that his last examination was scheduled on July 20 from 2 pm to 5 pm. The same day was fixed for day to day recording of the prosecution evidence in the trial. Hence he sought exemption from appearing physically before the court.
Therefore the court accepted the request and cancelled the proceedings on July 20 and now the prosecution evidence would be recorded from July 21 onwards at 2 pm.

The remaining dates already fixed by the court will continue as scheduled, meaning the trial calendar has been adjusted rather than reopened entirely.

In May, the court had fixed day-to-day hearings from July 20 to July 25 to record prosecution evidence. Such scheduling is usually intended to avoid long gaps between witnesses and keep a serious criminal trial moving.

Where the Shraddha Walkar murder trial stands

It must be noted that the prosecution said that eight witnesses are still to be examined. 13 witnesses has been partly recorded whereas 12 witnesses was deferred.

Poonawala is under trail for killing a 27 year old Shraddha Walkar, who worked at a call centre and was staying in a live-in relationship with him against the will of her parents. The case gained national attention after Delhi Police claimed that her body was chopped in parts and thrown in different locations of Delhi.

It was in 2023 that the Delhi police filed a chargesheet and charged him under provisions relating to murder and causing disappearance of evidence. He has pleaded not guilty, and the allegations are being tested in court through evidence, witness testimony and cross-examination.

Why the July 20 exemption matters

Now the question stands: why is a criminal like this allowed to study? Hence one must know that undertrial prisoners are allowed to pursue education while custody, subject to prison rules and court directions.

IGNOU holds examination facilities for inmates in several prisons. Courts often balance an accused person's right to participate in trial proceedings with other lawful rights, including access to education.

Hence the exemption granted to Poonawala does not decide any issue linked to guilty or innocence, but only relives him from physically appearing before the court.