Delhi court notes issue of threat to Aftab Poonawala in Tihar Jail

According to a Hindustan Times report, a Delhi court has stated that the threat to Aftab Ameen Poonawala, the accused in the murder of live-in partner Shraddha Walkar, still persists inside Tihar Jail. The court noted that out of the five inmates identified as a potential threat to him, three are still housed in the same security ward.

In an order passed on November 6, the court of Saket Court Additional Sessions Judge Hargurvarinder Singh Jaggi has sought a fresh report from the prison authorities. At the same time, an explanation has also been sought as to why only two of the five inmates were shifted despite earlier directions. The court stated that in short, the threat to the undertrial prisoner still exists.

These court directions come following an earlier order issued when Poonawala complained that some inmates threatened to inflict facial wounds and physical harm using 'sua' or modified needle-like weapons. He had provided the names of five inmates to the court.

Subsequently, the court directed prison authorities to take immediate steps to ensure his security and consider moving him to a separate ward or cell away from the concerned inmates. In response to the undertrial prisoner's allegations, Tihar Jail authorities submitted a report detailing the security arrangements made for Poonawala.

According to the report, he is kept in an individual cell in a separate security ward in Central Jail Number 4, under round-the-clock CCTV surveillance. A personal escort remains stationed around him from the morning lock-out to the night lock-up and accompanies him whenever he goes out of the ward.

Prison authorities told the court that an inquiry revealed no threats were made against Poonawala. However, they also stated that inmates who created unrest in the ward over trivial matters had been shifted to other wards.

Poonawala, who attended the court proceedings via video conferencing, agreed with some aspects of the security arrangements but objected to the prison administration's claim regarding the shifting of inmates. He told the court that only two of the five inmates were shifted, while three inmates remained in the security ward.

He also complained that despite being provided a personal escort, he is allowed to step out of his cell for only 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening before the night lock-up.

Taking note of these submissions, the court has sought a fresh status report from the superintendent of Central Jail Number 4, asking him to clarify the discrepancy and report on the steps taken to address Poonawala's concerns. The next hearing is scheduled for November 17.

Poonawala is standing trial for the alleged murder of Shraddha Walkar following an argument at their Chattarpur residence in May 2022. Police stated that Poonawala chopped Walkar's body into pieces and kept them in a refrigerator at his Chattarpur Pahadi home before disposing of them in a nearby forest over several days.

A Delhi court framed charges against Poonawala in May 2023, observing that the prosecution had placed sufficient material on record to proceed against him. Poonawala, who was 28 years old at the time, pleaded not guilty, paving the way for the trial to begin. The case is pending in a fast-track court, where the examination of prosecution witnesses is yet to begin.