Shraddha Walkar murder case: Aftab Poonawala’s father under police scanner

Aftab Poonawala's father Amin is currently under the scanner of Delhi police in connection with the brutal murder of Shraddha Walkar. Sources said that cops are checking if Amin had visited his son at his rented flat in Mehrauli, Delhi, between May and October. The probe into his role in the crime started after it was revealed that Amin was in constant touch with Aftab and that he was also aware that his son used to beat up Walkar even when they lived in Vasai.

Sources close to Amin told mid-day that he works with a Mumbai-based tile dealer as a salesman. "His mother earns as a hena (mehendi) artist working from their home. Aftab belongs to a middle class family," said the source.

The housing society in Vasai where Aftab Poonawala grew up

A Delhi police source said, "After reading the November Walkar's November 2020 complaint letter, we learnt that Aftab's parents were in constant touch with him. They would visit the couple every weekend when they lived in Vasai." Aftab had gone on a north India tour with Walkar in March and then the couple eventually moved into the Mehrauli flat, where Walkar was killed, in May.

Also Read: Shraddha Walkar murder case: Delhi cops look for Aftab Poonawala's mobile in Bhayandar creek

"On June 5, Aftab visited Vasai to shift his belongings to Delhi through packers and movers. There are chances that he might have visited his parents in Vasai. Above all, around a fortnight before the crime surfaced, Aftab helped his parents shift out of the house where he spent his childhood," said a Delhi police officer.

Aftab Poonawala

"Amin Poonawala was in constant touch with his son. Why did he not ask about Walkar who was staying with him since 2019? We are checking if Amin Poonawala was aware of the crime which his son committed or not. According to Shraddha's November 2020 complaint letter, which was later withdrawn, we have learnt that he used to cover up the bad deeds of his son. This raised our suspicion on Amin Poonawala," said the officer.

‘Aftab took drugs too'

Sources close to Poonawala's family told mid-day that Aftab used to take drugs and was in touch with many peddlers in Vasai, Virar and Mira Road. "The police should check if he was ever booked under the NDPS Act," the source claimed. Sources in Delhi police told mid-day that they are exploring drug angle in the murder case as well.

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Day in June when Poonawala shifted his belongings to Delhi