Shraddha Walkar Murder Case: Delhi Court Summons Tihar Superintendent After Aaftab Poonawala Says Threats From Inmates Continue
Aaftab Amin Poonawala, accused in the 2022 murder of Shraddha Walkar, has told a Delhi court that he continues to receive threats from fellow inmates in Tihar Jail
A Delhi Sessions Court has summoned the Superintendent of Tihar Jail to appear on November 6 with a compliance report explaining what has been done to protect Aaftab Amin Poonawala, after the undertrial complained that fellow inmates were still threatening him despite the court's earlier direction to ensure his safety.
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hargurvarinder Singh Jaggi of Saket Court issued the summons in an order dated November 4.
The court has called for a report on compliance with its order of November 2, by which jail authorities were directed to take immediate measures for Poonawala's safety. Poonawala is also to be produced before the court through video conferencing on November 6.
Poonawala is facing trial for the 2022 murder of his live-in partner, Shraddha Walkar.
The court's direction of November 2 was passed after Poonawala alleged that fellow inmates had repeatedly threatened to slash his face with improvised weapons and to cause him bodily harm. He told the court that some inmates had been threatening him for about ten days.
He also raised concerns about his safety inside Jail No. 4A of Tihar Jail, which houses a special cell and also functions as a punishment ward.
Accepting that the concern required immediate attention, the court observed that the safety of an undertrial prisoner was a top priority and that it was the State's duty to ensure such a prisoner's security as part of the right to a fair trial.
The court directed jail authorities to take immediate steps to secure Poonawala's safety. It added that, if required, he could be kept in a separate ward or cell, away from notorious inmates. The jail superintendent was also directed to file an action-taken report.
At the hearing that led to the November 4 order, Poonawala's counsel, Advocate Akshay Bhandari, told the court that the undertrial was still receiving threats from inmates and that no action had been taken despite the court's directions.
On that submission, the court required the jail superintendent to appear personally with a compliance report on November 6. The November 4 order was passed while the court was recording prosecution evidence in the case. The court also directed the prosecution and the defence to be ready for the examination of at least two witnesses from November 17.
Background
Aaftab Poonawalla is accused of murdering his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar in 2022, allegedly chopping her body into multiple pieces and disposing of them over several days in different parts of Delhi. He was arrested on November 12, 2022.
Bench: ASJ Hargurvarinder Singh Jaggi
Order Date: November 4, 2026