Shraddha Walkar Murder Case Trial Delayed Again: Why Aaftab Poonawala’s Exams and Medical Requests Are Slowing Proceedings

The Shraddha Walkar murder case remains one of India’s most horrifying and widely discussed criminal cases. More than four years after the alleged murder of 27-year-old Shraddha Walkar by her live-in partner Aaftab Amin Poonawala, the legal proceedings continue to move at a slow pace, frustrating the victim’s family and raising fresh concerns over delays in India’s criminal justice system.

Recent developments have once again brought the case into national focus after a Delhi court postponed a scheduled hearing to allow the accused to appear for his Master of Arts (MA) Sociology examination from inside Tihar Jail. The decision has reignited debate over whether repeated accommodations for the accused are unnecessarily prolonging a trial that has already witnessed hundreds of hearings.

Why Is the Shraddha Walkar Murder Trial Getting Delayed?

According to court records and recent reports, the delay is not the result of a single factor. Instead, several procedural and legal reasons have contributed to the prolonged trial.

The most recent postponement came after Aaftab Amin Poonawala requested permission to skip a scheduled court hearing because he was appearing for his final MA Sociology examination conducted inside Tihar Jail. The court accepted the request and rescheduled the hearing.

This is not the first such postponement. Reports indicate that previous hearings have also been delayed due to:

Dental treatment appointments
Psychiatric consultations
Educational examinations
Long cross-examinations of prosecution witnesses
Extensive documentary evidence running into thousands of pages

These repeated adjournments have significantly slowed the progress of the case.

Timeline of the Shraddha Walkar Murder Case

Event	Details
Alleged Murder	May 2022
FIR Registered	November 10, 2022
Arrest of Aaftab Poonawala	November 12, 2022
Charges Framed	May 2023
Hearings Conducted	Over 215
Current Stage	Prosecution evidence still being recorded
Latest Delay	Court hearing postponed for MA examination

The timeline reflects the latest publicly reported court developments.

The Trial Has Already Seen More Than 215 Hearings

Despite more than 215 court hearings, the prosecution is still presenting evidence. One of the biggest reasons behind the delay is the massive volume of evidence submitted during the investigation.

The charge sheet reportedly exceeds 13,000 pages, requiring detailed examination before the court. Each prosecution witness is also subjected to lengthy cross-examination by the defence.

In one instance, a prosecution witness reportedly appeared across eight separate hearings for cross-examination, with the process still continuing. Such lengthy proceedings have contributed significantly to the slow pace of the trial.

Medical Requests and Academic Exams Have Also Led to Adjournments

Another aspect drawing public attention is the repeated accommodation of the accused’s personal requirements.

Court records cited in media reports suggest that proceedings have previously been adjusted to allow:

Dental treatment
Psychiatric consultations
University examinations
Other personal requirements inside jail

While prisoners retain certain legal rights, including access to education and healthcare, the repeated postponements have raised questions among the victim’s family regarding the balance between these rights and the need for timely justice.

Shraddha Walkar’s Family Continues to Wait for Justice

The prolonged trial has deeply affected Shraddha Walkar’s family.

Her father, Vikas Walkar, who had consistently pursued justice for his daughter, passed away in 2025 before the trial concluded. Reports also state that Shraddha’s grandmother died while the case remained pending.

Family members have repeatedly expressed disappointment over the repeated adjournments and have questioned why hearings continue to be postponed while they travel from Mumbai to Delhi for court proceedings.

According to recent interviews, Shraddha’s aunt has urged the judiciary to ensure that the trial proceeds without unnecessary delays so that justice can finally be delivered.

Can Prisoners Continue Their Education During Trial?

Indian prison rules permit undertrial prisoners to continue their education, subject to court permission and prison administration regulations.

In this case, Aaftab Amin Poonawala has been pursuing a postgraduate degree while lodged in Tihar Jail. The university examinations are reportedly being conducted within the prison premises.

Although legally permissible, the court’s decision to postpone hearings because of these examinations has generated widespread public debate regarding judicial priorities in high-profile criminal cases.

Legal Experts Point to Procedural Challenges

Legal experts often note that complex murder trials naturally take longer due to several procedural safeguards.

Some of the major reasons include:

Large number of prosecution witnesses
Detailed forensic evidence
Extensive documentary records
Multiple forensic reports
Right of the defence to conduct comprehensive cross-examination
Court scheduling constraints

These safeguards are intended to ensure a fair trial for both the prosecution and the accused, even though they may extend the duration of proceedings.

Public Debate Over Speedy Justice

The latest postponement has once again triggered public discussion about delays in India’s criminal justice system.

Many observers argue that while every accused person is entitled to legal rights, including education and medical treatment, courts should also ensure that trials involving serious offences proceed without avoidable interruptions.

The case has become symbolic of broader concerns regarding pendency in Indian courts, where victims’ families often spend years waiting for final judgments.

What Happens Next?

The prosecution is expected to continue presenting evidence once the hearings resume.

Several prosecution witnesses are yet to complete their testimony, and cross-examinations remain ongoing. Only after the prosecution evidence concludes will the defence present its case, followed by final arguments before the court delivers its verdict.

Given the current pace of proceedings, legal observers believe the trial could still take considerable time before reaching its conclusion, although the exact timeline remains uncertain.

Conclusion

More than four years after the alleged murder of Shraddha Walkar, the case continues to attract national attention—not only because of the shocking nature of the crime but also because of the prolonged judicial process.

Repeated adjournments for examinations, medical appointments, and lengthy cross-examinations have added to the delays, leaving the victim’s family waiting for closure. While the legal system must protect the rights of every accused, the case has reignited calls for faster disposal of serious criminal trials without compromising due process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Why was the latest hearing in the Shraddha Walkar murder case postponed?

The Delhi court postponed the hearing after accused Aaftab Amin Poonawala sought exemption to appear for his MA Sociology examination inside Tihar Jail.

Q2. How many hearings have taken place so far?

According to recent reports, the trial has witnessed more than 215 hearings.

Q3. Why is the trial taking so long?

Major reasons include a lengthy charge sheet, numerous prosecution witnesses, detailed cross-examinations, and adjournments related to the accused’s examinations and medical appointments.