Shraddha Walkar Murder: Delhi Court Directs Tihar Jail To Ensure Aaftab Poonawala's Safety Amid Death Threats From Inmates
A Delhi Court has directed the Tihar Jail Superintendent to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of Aaftab Amin Poonawala, accused in the Shraddha Walkar murder case, after he claimed that fellow inmates had repeatedly threatened to kill him and cause bodily harm.
Additional Sessions Judge Hargurvarinder Singh Jaggi of Saket Courts said that the safety of an undertrial prisoner is a top priority and one of the hallmark principles of the criminal justice system.
“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 said.
It further directed that, if required, Poonawala may be kept in a separate ward or cell away from the notorious inmates.
The directions were passed after Poonawala sought permission to make submissions regarding threats allegedly being advanced against him by inmates inside the prison.
He told the Court that he is presently lodged in Jail No. 4A of Tihar Jail, Delhi, which is a special cell but also happens to be the punishment ward.
Poonawala claimed that, for the past 10 days, a few inmates had repeatedly threatened to kill him and slash his face with improvised weapons. He expressed concerns regarding his safety and security within the prison.
The Court directed the concerned Jail Superintendent to file an action taken report, to be read as a status report, at the earliest.
A copy of the order has also been directed to be transmitted to the Jail Superintendent and the Investigating Officer or SHO of Mehrauli Police Station for information and compliance.
The matter is pending at the stage of prosecution evidence.
Aaftab Poonawalla allegedly killed his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar in 2022. It has been alleged that he chopped her body into 35 pieces and disposed the pieces in batches in forests of the national capital.
Charges were framed against accused Poonawala in May last 2023 for murdering Shraddha Walkar and disappearance of evidence.
Poonawalla had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial in the case.