Tihar security concerns persist in Shraddha Walkar murder case

The Delhi High Court has flagged persistent security concerns surrounding Aaftab Poonawala, who is standing trial for the murder of Shraddha Walkar, as three inmates previously identified as potential threats continue to be housed in his ward at Tihar Jail.

Poonawala faces charges of strangling and allegedly dismembering Walkar following a domestic dispute in May 2022. The case has drawn significant public attention, raising questions about prisoner safety and jail administration protocols.

Court authorities have noted that despite prior warnings regarding the presence of problematic inmates in proximity to Poonawala, adequate measures to segregate or transfer these individuals have not been fully implemented. The three flagged prisoners remain in the same detention area, posing an ongoing security risk to the accused.

The judicial observations underscore gaps in Tihar Jail's capacity to manage high-profile cases and maintain adequate custodial security. Officials have been directed to review and strengthen measures to ensure the safety of prisoners in sensitive criminal cases while maintaining institutional order.

The trial proceedings continue as authorities address the administrative and security challenges posed by housing accused individuals in complex, high-profile criminal cases within the jail's existing infrastructure constraints.