NEW DELHI: A court on Friday extended Aaftab Poonawala’s judicial custody by 14 days. The hearing took place through videoconferencing at the police’s request and the magistrate granted an extension on the police’s submission that the probe was at a critical stage. The forensic reports are expected by next week, the police said.
Aaftab is accused of murdering his live-in partner Shradha Walkar.
Special commissioner of police (law and order) Sagar Preet Hooda said his judicial remand was extended until December 23. “Last month, a police van carrying Aaftab was attacked by some men armed with swords and sticks, so cops requested the court for videoconferencing,” a source said.
On Thursday, the Tihar administration wrote to the Delhi Police’s third battalion, requesting adequate security for him during production.
Forensic officials said that reports related to polygraph and narco sessions were being prepared by experts and would be handed over to cops next week.
Meanwhile, cops are still searching for the victim’s head and mobile phone. “Aaftab, during questioning, gave multiple answers about the disposal of her head and mobile phone, so the search is still ongoing,” a source said.
Another source said teams have also conducted fresh searches in Delhi and other states. Investigation has so far revealed that his internet searches showed that he had done deep research on every aspect of criminal cases, from investigation to trial. His recent searches were related to the behavioural patterns of different people during any stressful period.
In Tihar, Aaftab did not talk to his cellmates. In his cell, he sat quietly. “Apart from books, he had not demanded anything from us. We also asked him if he needed an extra blanket, but he didn’t give any response,” a jail official said. So far, he has been behaving normally and there is no sign of worry on his face.
He added that so far, no one had come to meet him and even Aaftab had shown no interest in meeting his family members. “We review his security on a regular basis, and more than 15 cameras have been installed near his cell,” sources said.
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