Mehrauli murder case: Hang the monster, says Shraddha Walkar’s father

Speaking to the media for the first time about his daughter's gruesome murder by her live-in partner, Vikas Walkar demanded death penalty for Aftab Poonawala and restrictions on dating apps, as Shraddha had met him through one. He wants the police to probe whether Aftab's family was involved in Shraddha's murder.

Poonawala allegedly murdered Shraddha at their rented flat in Delhi, chopped her body into dozens of pieces and threw them across forest areas nearby. Although he claims to have killed her on May 18, police are investigating to ascertain the exact date of murder.

Demanding action against Manikpur police in Vasai, Vikas said, "Shraddha's friends and I had gone to Manikpur police station in September to file a missing person complaint, but the cops did nothing. Our complaint was registered only on October 12."

mid-day, in a series of reports, highlighted the alleged negligence of Manikpur cops and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's assurance of an inquiry against them. However, no inquiry has been initiated so far.

Vikas Walkar with BJP leader Kirit Somaiya after the press conference at Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh on Friday. Pic/Atul Kamble

"Now, what hurts the most is the police's failure to act on time. My daughter would have been alive today if they had acted promptly, or at least the Delhi police would have got some clinching evidence against Poonawala," he added.

Vikas said he had spoken to his daughter in 2021, and asked about her wellbeing. "She told me that she was in Bangalore and doing well," he added. Talking about the day she left home, he said, "She was independent and wanted to live her life on her own terms. She said to me: I am an adult now and can make my own decisions, and left home". "I had opposed her relationship with Poonawala as inter-religious marriage is not allowed in our community, but she didn't listen," Vikas said.

Also Read: Mehrauli murder case: Aftab used nail, hammer to break Walkar's joints

Vikas also talked about dating apps, as Shraddha had met Poonawala through one, and said that there should be some restrictions on the use of these apps. "Parents feel helpless. There should be a proper mechanism and counselling for young children who are using such apps and landing in such relationships. There should also be awareness about one's religion and faith," Vikas said.

Shraddha Walkar

He also demanded a probe against Poonawala's family members, alleging that they must have been aware of her death but didn't do anything about it. "Poonawala's family should also be investigated in this case. I had approached them once, but they didn't speak to me. I suspect that they may be aware of the fact that my daughter was killed," he added.

Vikas said he spoke to Poonawala on November 26 after Shraddha's friends told him that her number was not reachable. "I asked him [Poonawala] where my daughter was. He said that she had left him and he was unaware of her whereabouts. I told him it was his responsibility to inform the parents as he had been living with her for three years. But he didn't say anything," he said.

When Vikas was asked about the allegations that Poonawala assaulted Shraddha and why she never confided in him about the harassment, he said, "I don't know why she never shared anything with me."