Delhi Murder Case Updates: Maidan Garhi Pond Drained in Search of Shraddha's Remains, Parts of Skull Recovered in Forest

Delhi-Mehrauli Murder Case Updates: After a long search conducted by the Delhi Police on Sunday for victim Shraddha Walkar?s remains, several parts of skull were recovered from the Mehrauli forest. Police also drained out the entire Maidan Garhi pond near the couple?s Mehrauli apartment on rent.  Police also conducted a search of couple Shraddha Walkar and Aaftab Amin Poonawalla?s rented apartment, and recreated the crime scene.

Shraddha was murdered by her live-in partner Aaftab on May 18 this year in the same apartment. Aaftab sawed her body into 35 pieces, and later threw them across parts of Delhi, only 20 minutes away from their Mehrauli flat. To further look for Shraddha?s missing body parts, a team also searched the Maidan Garhi pond, not so far away from the Mehrauli house.

Police recovered 2 plastic bags from the house and the search comes a day ahead of Aaftab?s Narco test, to be conducted by Forensic Science lab on Monday.  A Delhi Police team also called three persons in Maharashtra?s Palghar district to record their statements in connection with the case.

Since the remains of Shraddha?s body parts were recovered nearly six months after she was murdered, convicting Aaftab remains a challenge. According to an expert, circumstantial evidence and forensic examination hold the key in such cases. Noting that it is a six-month-old murder, former Delhi Police commissioner S N Shrivastava said the scene of crime has been cleaned up and police are basically depending on the confession of the accused, who seems to be a ?clever? person.

The police have so far recovered 13 body parts, which are mostly skeletal remains, but the weapon used to chop her body is yet to be recovered, even as searches continue in the forest areas of Mehrauli and other parts of Delhi, and Gurugram.

Earlier on Sunday, Delhi police reached the couple?s house in Maharashtra?s Vasai. The owner of the house was interrogated, as the couple rented the flat for 10 months, and they were ?pretending to be married.? During the search, Police recorded statements of four persons. They are office bearers of housing societies where Shraddha and Aaftab lived.

Meanwhile, Vikas Walkar, Shraddha?s father on Saturday claimed he had visited Aaftab?s residence in Vasai earlier but was insulted and warned by his family members not to come again.?I had tried to convince Shraddha (to walk out of the relationship) but she wouldn?t listen,? he added.

In another crucial evidence, a CCTV footage has emerged which shows the accused, Poonawala carrying a bag over his shoulder in early hours of the morning.

Shraddha?s friend, in an interview to PTI said that he saw medical reports of her injured spine and neck.  ?But on some days when she had fights with Aaftab, she isolated herself so she does not have to lie. I cannot imagine Aaftab going to this extent,? he said.

Poonawala allegedly strangled Walkar (27) on May 18 and sawed her body into 35 pieces which he kept in a 300-litre fridge for almost three weeks at his residence in South Delhi’s Mehrauli before dumping them across the city over several days past midnight. The saw was allegedly bought from a shop on the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, police sources said.

Till now, 13 body parts, which are mostly bones have been recovered. A source said the police on Friday recovered some body parts from Gurugram which will be sent for forensic examination. The head of the victim is still missing.

Here are the latest developments in the Shraddha Walker Murder Case-

Delhi Police Recreate Crime Scene: The Delhi Police on Sunday conducted a search of couple Shraddha Walkar and Aaftab Amin Poonawalla?s rented apartment in Mehrauli, and recreated the crime scene. Shraddha was murdered by her live-in partner Aaftab on May 18 this year in the same apartment

Maidan Garhi Pond Searched By Delhi Police: To further look for Shraddha?s missing body parts, a team also searched the Maidan Garhi pond, not so far away from the Mehrauli house.

Expert Says Circumstantial Evidence in Key: Since the remains of Shraddha?s body parts were recovered nearly six months after she was murdered, convicting Aaftab remains a challenge. According to an expert, circumstantial evidence and forensic examination hold the key in such cases.

Delhi Police Search Mehrauli Flat: Delhi Police officials searched Aaftab Amin Poonawalla and Shraddha Walkar?s Mehrauli flat that they lived in on rent. Police recovered 2 plastic bags from the scene. The search comes a day ahead of Aaftab?s Narco test, to be conducted by Forensic Science lab on Monday.

Delhi Police Reach Vasai House: The Delhi Police team on Sunday reached their house in Maharashtra?s Vasai where the two were living as tenants and have interrogated the owner of the residence. They were staying in Jayashree Patkar?s flat for 10 months and they had ?pretended to be married.?

Bombay HC Chief Justice blames ?access to material on internet?: Bombay High Court Chief Justice Dipankar Datta Saturday said that these crimes are happening because of ?so much access to material on internet.?

Sharp object recovered from house: Police have said that they have recovered a sharp object from the house of Poonawala. It will be examined if it was used to chop the body of Walkar.

Aaftab to be taken to different Delhi areas: Poonawala will be taken to different locations in south Delhi on Saturday as the Delhi Police are trying to locate more body parts that he had allegedly disposed of after killing his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar, officials said.

Police questions Shraddha?s ex-manager: Delhi police on Saturday recorded statement of Shraddha?s former manager, Karan Behri. He is one of the key witnesses in the case.

Spine, neck injuries on Shraddha:  Shraddha?s friend, in an interview to PTI said that he saw medical reports of her injured spine and neck due to physical abuse.

Blood samples of Shraddha?s father collected: The blood samples of the victim’s father and brother have been collected to match their DNA with the skeletal remains recovered till now, police said on Friday.

Police beef up security: Amid calls from across the sections of society demanding capital punishment of Poonawalla Delhi police is taking extra precautions to keep him safe.

Police Deployed outside Aaftab?s cell: During the night, some policemen are being also deployed outside Poonawala’s lock-ups with directions to remain vigilant and keep a watch on his activities in custody, the report said.

Aaftab to undergo Narco test: Narco analysis on Aaftab Amin Poonawala, who is accused of killing his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar, will be conducted at Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital here in Rohini here, most likely on Monday.

Calls for death penalty: There have been calls- both online and offline- and from some religious organisations, demanding capital punishment for Poonawala.

Protests held against Aaftab: People have taken out protest marches both in Delhi and Maharashtra asking police to take the strictest action against the accused. On Thursday, a group of lawyers created a ruckus created at the Saket court where Poonawala was going to be produced for extending his remand.

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