Aaftab Poonawala is collaborating with the Delhi Police, but he has not confessed to murdering Shraddha Walkar in court, according to his lawyer, according to NDTV.
Aaftab Poonawala told a Delhi court today that he killed his partner Shraddha Walkar “in the heat of the moment,” according to police sources. However, according to his lawyer, he has not confessed in court. He also stated that the evidence against Aaftab is primarily circumstantial, which could be advantageous to him.
…Aaftab Poonawala
“Whatever happened, it happened in the heat of the moment,” Aaftab Poonawala told a judge through video link. The court extended his detention for four more days.
The 28-year-old is suspected of killing Shraddha Walkar in their Delhi flat in May, dismembering her body into 35 pieces, and dispersing the pieces throughout the city.
According to the authorities, Aaftab Poonawala created a site plan of a Delhi jungle where he deposited Shraddha’s body pieces. They said that the plan was discovered in his home. The bloodstained tiles in his bathroom had also been sent for forensic testing, according to the police.
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Avinash Kumar, Aatab’s court-appointed lawyer, told NDTV exclusively: “He is assisting the Delhi Police but has not confessed in court. He has not admitted to murdering Shraddha.”
Aaftab’s remarks in court may not be regarded a confession because any statement made at a hearing rather than a trial is not considered evidence. An accused is protected against self-incrimination under criminal process.
The Delhi Police, which apprehended Aaftab on Monday, said he confessed to the heinous crime. Shraddha was allegedly murdered by Aaftab on May 18, just two days after moving into a new residence in south Delhi. According to reports, he bought a 300-litre fridge the next day to store her body parts and stared at her severed head every day. Every day, shocking facts of the crime, allegedly revealed to authorities by Aaftab, make headlines.
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A police-recorded confession is not admissible in court.
Mr Kumar stated that Aaftab “wants to tell Delhi Police everything.” He stated that his client was “not entirely denying” the crime. “He consented to a Narco test because he wants to cooperate with the police,” he explained.
The lawyer stated that he had spoken with Aaftab for roughly 10 minutes since taking up the case. He maintained that he had not spoken about Shraddha at the time.
“He stated that he wanted to meet with his attorney for five minutes.” I thought his body language was very relaxed. He appeared to be a normal person…his mind and physical condition were both stable. Was speaking cordially. He is not concerned…he is aware of the implications of the case, but he believes in the judicial process,” Mr Kumar added.
Mr Kumar stated that he was awaiting a copy of the police chargesheet in order to prepare Aaftab’s defense. “That will be the foundation of my next plan.” So far, all evidence is circumstantial. There is no compelling evidence.”
…Aaftab Poonawala
The lawyer dismissed the risk of facing retaliation for defending a man convicted of heinous crime.
“It is his constitutional right to be defended, and it is my responsibility to do so.” So far, I’m not concerned.”
The police have not discovered any vital parts of Shraddha’s body, but 13 bones, including the base of a skull and a portion of a jaw, have been sent for DNA testing.
The saw and blade allegedly used to cut up the body were thrown in the bushes in a Gurugram neighborhood.
