Delhi High Court Denies Request for Fixed Timeline in High-Profile Murder Case
In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court has declined to set a deadline for the completion of the trial against Aftab Poonawalla, who stands accused of murdering and dismembering his live-in partner, Shraddha Walkar, in 2022. The case has attracted considerable public and media attention due to its gruesome nature.
The decision was rendered by a Bench led by Justice Madhu Jain, who determined that the trial court is already conducting daily proceedings with the aim of concluding the case as swiftly as possible. The plea, brought forth by Walkar’s brother, sought expedited trial proceedings to facilitate the completion of her final rites, as her remains are still with the investigative agencies and the trial court.
Walkar’s brother expressed concerns about the trial’s pace, noting that it could potentially extend for another five years if not expedited. His legal counsel highlighted that, according to the trial court’s records, 48 witnesses still needed to testify.
The state’s representative informed the court that 157 of the 222 total witnesses had been examined. Six critical examinations are pending, including testimony from four international data witnesses from Google and Bumble, as well as one nodal officer. Additionally, 14 witnesses are yet to undergo cross-examination.
Senior counsel Amit Prasad, representing the Delhi Police, assured the court that the trial proceedings were being conducted on a daily basis, excluding weekends. He referenced a May 2026 order by the trial court, which had already instructed the accused to ensure his counsel’s regular attendance at hearings.
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In light of these updates, the High Court acknowledged the trial court’s efforts to expedite the trial and concluded that no further instructions were necessary. Despite the petitioner’s insistence on a time-bound directive, the court remained unpersuaded and dismissed the plea.
For ongoing updates, readers can follow live coverage of the proceedings.
Source: Delhi High Court ruling, Justice Madhu Jain presiding.
