A Delhi court has allowed Aftab Poonawala to skip a July 20 hearing in the Shraddha Walkar case to take an MA Sociology exam, the latest in a series of delays that have prolonged the trial nearly four years after the alleged murder. The case involves the 2022 killing of Shraddha Walkar, whose body was reportedly dismembered and disposed of across Delhi by Poonawala, her live-in partner.
Repeated Delays in the Shraddha Walkar Case
Court records show this is not the first accommodation for Poonawala. Hearings have been postponed for a dental appointment and a psychiatric consultation, according to NDTV. The FIR was filed on November 10, 2022, with charges framed in May 2023. Since then, the court has held over 215 hearings, yet evidence is still being recorded.
The investigation produced a 13,000-page chargesheet, adding to the trial’s complexity. Shraddha Walkar’s family has expressed frustration, noting that her father, Vikas Walkar, died in February 2025 without seeing justice. Her grandmother also passed away while the case remained unresolved.
Family Questions Trial Delays
Shraddha’s aunt, Rajal Naik, continues to travel from Mumbai to Delhi for hearings, only to find them deferred. She questioned why Poonawala receives concessions, stating, “Why is he being given concessions? We are awaiting justice. Shraddha’s father died waiting for justice for his daughter. It’s been over four years.”
The family has been unable to perform Shraddha’s last rites, as recovered remains are preserved as evidence. The trial’s next steps remain unclear, with proceedings still in the evidence phase.
