More than four years after Shraddha Walkar was allegedly murdered by her live-in partner Aftab Poonawala in Delhi, the trial continues to advance at a notably slow pace. The case, which drew widespread attention following the discovery of the crime, remains far from resolution as proceedings stretch into their fourth year.
According to court developments, Walkar was allegedly strangled, with her body dismembered and parts stored in a refrigerator before being scattered across various locations in the capital. The first information report was filed in November 2022, and formal charges were framed in May 2023. Since then, the court has conducted more than 215 hearings, yet the prosecution continues to present its evidence. The chargesheet spans over 13,000 pages, and extended cross-examinations have contributed significantly to the delays, with some witnesses requiring multiple sessions.
A recent court decision highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining trial momentum. The court permitted the accused to forgo a scheduled hearing on July 20 to sit for his MA Sociology examination while in custody at Tihar Jail. This concession is not isolated. Records indicate that proceedings were previously postponed to allow for a dental appointment around ten months earlier, and another adjustment accommodated a request for psychiatric consultation.
These instances illustrate a recurring pattern in which the accused’s personal and educational requirements have been prioritized, extending a trial already exceeding three years. Meanwhile, the victim’s family continues to seek closure. Shraddha’s father, Vikas Walkar, passed away in February 2025 without witnessing accountability. Her grandmother also died during the pendency of the case, and the recovered remains have not been released for final rites as they are retained as evidence.
Shraddha’s aunt, Rajal Naik, who resides in Mumbai and attends hearings in Delhi, has expressed deep frustration over the repeated postponements. She has questioned the accommodations granted for studies and appointments, emphasizing the family’s prolonged wait for justice and noting the emotional toll, including the absence of the victim’s body for proper rites. Family members have observed the accused appearing unremorseful during court appearances.
The case underscores broader questions about balancing the rights of the accused with the timely delivery of justice in serious criminal matters. As hearings continue, Shraddha Walkar’s family persists in their pursuit of resolution after years of uncertainty.
