Mehrauli murder: Delhi court frames murder, disappearance of evidence charges against Poonawala
Darpan News Desk IANS, 09 May, 2023 10:41 AM
New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) A Delhi court on Tuesday framed charges in the Mehrauli murder case against Aaftab Amin Poonawala, accused of strangling his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar and then chopping her body into several pieces.
Additional Sessions Judge Manisha Khurana Kakkar of Saket Courts has framed charges under Sections 302 (Murder) and 201 (Disappearance of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against Poonawala.
"Prima facie case of Section 302 is made out and charges will be framed," ASJ Khurana said.
The judge added that to screen himself from punishment, Poonawala cut Walkar's body and threw it at various places therefore committing offence under Section 201of IPC.
Poonawala pleaded not guilty of Walker's murder and the matter has now been set for trial and has been listed for recording of prosecution evidence on June 1.
The Delhi Police had earlier told the court that incriminating circumstances are clearly revealed through reliable and clinching evidence and they form a chain of events.
A charge sheet running over 6,000 pages was filed in the case.
According to Delhi Fire Service (DFS) Director Atul Garg, a call about tilting of a building was received in Shakarpur area on Vikas Marg in east Delhi. Strong tremors, lasting a few seconds, shook most of north India on Tuesday evening, creating panic among people.
The Customs officials at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here recovered 28 gold bars worth Rs 1.15 crore after rummaging two IndiGo flights, officials said. A Customs official said that the action was initiated on Saturday on the basis of intelligence inputs received by them.
The petitioner also requested the apex court to direct the media to desist from reporting on criminal proceedings, to prevent further shaming and embarrassment for the 72-year-old victim and the perpetrator.
On March 6, Special Judge M.K. Nagpal of the Rouse Avenue Court sent Sisodia to 14 days of judicial custody in CBI case, which expired on Monday. He is lodged in the national capital's Tihar jail.
She has claimed to the police investigators that her mother died under natural circumstances, allegedly due to a fall on December 27. But since she was scared of getting the blame for it, she resorted to a web of lies and deceit to fool the relatives and the neighbours.
The deceased include four women. Seven others were rescued by fire service personnel. Hyderabad District Collector Amoy Kumar said the victims died of suffocation due to the smoke.
