A Delhi court on Friday listed the Shraddha Walkar murder case for day-to-day hearing from July 20, aiming to expedite the trial proceedings. Aftab Amin Poonawala, a food blogger from Mumbai, is facing trial for allegedly murdering his live-in partner, Shraddha Walkar, at their flat in Delhi’s Chhatarpur area on May 18, 2022.
Timeline of the Case
2014 Onwards
Shraddha Walkar had a strained relationship with her father. She told teachers that she had lost her father and had to work to support her family.
Mid-2019
Walkar met Poonawala on a dating app. They started a live-in relationship after her parents objected. She did not keep in touch with her parents.
January 2020
Walkar lost her mother. She came to stay with her father and brother for two weeks, then returned to her rented home. After her mother’s death, she made phone calls to her father to inform him about Poonawala’s atrocities.
March 2022
Walkar moved to south Delhi with Poonawala. Her father was not aware of her shift to Delhi until her childhood friend contacted him in August. Walkar and Poonawala visited different hill stations in March and April.
September 2022
Walkar’s friend made a phone call to her brother and informed him that there was no contact with her for the last 2.5 months. Her father also tried to reach her but failed.
October 6, 2022
Walkar’s father filed an application before Vasai DCP. Teams were formed to trace the girl.
October 12, 2022
Manickpur police filed a missing case after Walkar’s phone was unreachable. Her bank account showed no transactions since May. Social media accounts had also been inactive since May. The last location of Walkar was traced to Chhatarpur Pahadi.
October End to November 3, 2022
Poonawala was called to Vasai by cops for questioning. He claimed that Walkar left home in May after a fight.
November 8, 2022
Manickpur police station from Mumbai informed Delhi Police about the missing case.
November 10, 2022
Vasai cops and Delhi counterparts detained Poonawala for questioning. He confessed to the gruesome murder.
November 11, 2022
Police arrested Poonawala from his house in Chhatarpur Pahadi.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to its brutal nature. The court’s decision to hold day-to-day hearings is expected to ensure a speedy trial.
