The Delhi Police informed the court on Tuesday, while requesting an extension of police custody for accused Aaftab Poonawalla in the Shraddha Walkar murder case, that a rough site plan had been discovered at the accused’s home, which may aid in the search effort.
Police further informed the court that other sections of the deceased’s bones had been retrieved from the bush, and that the deceased’s jaws had been recovered on November 20. The police also stated that teams from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) had been sent to the scene for an examination.
The Delhi Police investigation officer while seeking an extension of police custody stated that more parts of the body or bones and weapons can be recovered on the basis of disclosure of the accused.
The Delhi Police on Tuesday produced Aaftab in Saket Court at the end of his remand period granted on the last date of hearing.
The Delhi police had moved a lower court to seek permission for conducting a polygraph test on Aaftab Amin Poonawala.
On Tuesday, Metropolitan Magistrate Aviral Shukla after noting the submissions of Delhi Police stated, “It is the considered opinion of this court that further remand of the accused be authorized in police custody for the purpose of ensuring the conclusion of investigation in the matter. Accordingly, the remand of the accused is hereby authorized in police custody for a further period of four days till November 26, 2022.”
The court of Metropolitan Magistrate Vijayshree Rathore on Monday evening had allowed the application for a polygraph test of the accused Aaftab.
During Aaftab’s production, the court asked Aaftab about his well-being and the use of third-degree measures by the police.
Aaftab told the court that he is fine and cooperating in the investigation. He also appreciated the police and said no third-degree measures have been used.
According to legal aid Counsel, Aaftab told the court that the victim used to provoke him and all that happened in heat of the moment.” The counsel told off camera.
Advocate Abinash Kumar appearing for Aaftab told that he opposed the extension of remand.
Aaftab also stated during the hearing that he is having difficulties recalling the incident since he is new to all of these locations. According to his lawyer, he was directed to submit a site plan for a pond where he reportedly tossed the body parts.
Meanwhile, a Delhi police official said that Aftab had shifted belongings from his flat in Maharashtra’s Vasai flat to Delhi this June in order to give an impression that his girlfriend had left him and he needed all the household essentials.
According to the Delhi Police, it was part of “Aaftab’s plan” after he allegedly strangled Shraddha in May this year and chopped her up into multiple parts and preserved them in a refrigerator before disposing them over several days. Delhi Police said that Aaftab was attempting to portray that Shraddha had left him and had also taken away with her all household items.
In order to show that he required all those essential items he hired a movers and packers company to transport his belongings from his flat in the Vasai area of Palghar to Delhi’s Chhattarpur area.
“After killing Shraddha in May, as a part of his plan, Aaftab made an online booking with a travel company in June and transported around 37 boxes of belongings to his residence in Delhi’s Chhatarpur area. He did this to have a fool-proof plan to save himself if the situation so arose,” a police official said.
Police further said that accused Aaftab not only burnt Shraddha’s photo but also all evidence related to her besides all the household items connected with her that were transported from Vasai to Delhi.
“They had transported all necessary things at the time of moving to Delhi in March, but after the murder in May, Aaftab prepared a list of 37 items and brought them from Vasai to fabricate a whole new story. What happened to those items will also be investigated,” the police added.
