Shraddha Walkar murder case: Three inmates still pose threat to Aaftab in Tihar; court seeks fresh explanation

The security concerns surrounding Aaftab Amin Poonawala, accused in the sensational Shraddha Walkar murder case, have resurfaced after he told a Delhi court that three of the five inmates identified as potential threats to his life continue to remain in his security ward at Tihar Jail.

Taking note of the discrepancy between the jail administration's claims and Poonawala's submissions, a Saket court has sought a fresh status report from the superintendent of Central Jail No. 4, along with an explanation for why only two of the five inmates were shifted despite an earlier direction.

In an order dated November 6, Additional Sessions Judge Hargurvarinder Singh Jaggi observed, “In short, the threat to the accused/UTP remains.” The court directed the jail superintendent to submit a fresh report on or before November 17.

The development came after the jail administration submitted a compliance report detailing the security arrangements made for Poonawala. According to the report filed by the Deputy Superintendent on November 6, Poonawala is lodged in a separate security ward in Central Jail No. 4, in an individual cell under 24-hour CCTV surveillance. The cameras are monitored by prison staff as well as the central CCTV room at Prison Headquarters.

The report further stated that, apart from the jail staff deployed inside the ward, a personal TSP escort has been provided to Poonawala. The escort remains near him from morning lock-out until night lock-up and accompanies him whenever he is required to leave the ward.

The jail authorities also claimed that an inquiry had found no threats being made against him. However, they acknowledged that certain inmates who were creating disturbances over trivial issues had been shifted to other wards.

But Poonawala, who appeared before the court through video conferencing, disputed the jail administration's account. While agreeing with some aspects of the security report, he told the judge that only two of the five inmates had actually been moved, while three continued to remain in the same security ward.

He also raised concerns about restrictions on his movement, stating that despite having a personal escort, he was allowed out of his cell for only 30 minutes in the morning and another 30 minutes in the evening before night lock-up.

The court, therefore, sought clarification on the apparent mismatch between its earlier order of November 2, which identified five inmates, and the jail administration's latest report. It has asked the superintendent to explain the discrepancy and detail the steps taken to address Poonawala's security concerns.

The latest direction follows the court's earlier intervention on November 2, when Poonawala alleged that fellow inmates had repeatedly threatened to kill him and slash his face using improvised weapons, including a sua (needle).

While directing the jail authorities to take immediate protective measures, Judge Jaggi had underlined the State's responsibility towards prisoners, irrespective of the allegations they face.

“It is the duty of the State to keep UTPs safe and secure, which is within the realm of a right to fair trial of an accused,” the court had observed, stressing that the safety of an undertrial prisoner was a priority under the criminal justice system.

The court had also indicated that Poonawala could be shifted to a separate ward or cell, away from the inmates concerned, if necessary.

The matter will now be taken up on November 17, when the jail authorities are expected to explain the steps taken to ensure his safety.

Poonawala is facing trial for the alleged murder of his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar in May 2022. The prosecution has alleged that he strangled her at their Chhattarpur residence, dismembered her body and disposed of the remains at different locations in Delhi. He has pleaded not guilty.