Shraddha Walker Murder Case:
In a small storage room at a police station in Delhi, the remains of Shraddha Walker rest, still awaiting a funeral. Shraddha, whose tragic end was orchestrated by her lover, has been in this legal limbo as the case trudges along nearly two years after it began. Yet, the hope of daily hearings has come only with the court's recent decision to expedite proceedings starting March. However, much remains to be done in this case.
Shraddha Walker's Case Lingers at Saket Court
For over two years, within Mehrauli station's evidence room, a small box contains Shraddha Walker. Just 4 kilometers away is Saket Court, where the hearings, pending since June 1, 2023, reflect the slow wheels of justice. Several times, this small box has been transported to court, highlighting the stark reality of a system in need of action.
All That Remains of Shraddha
In November 2022, Shraddha's father, Vikas Walker, learned of his daughter's demise. Her friend, Aftab Poonawala, had savagely ended her life and scattered her remains in the nearby forests. For over two years, Vikas has known of his daughter's tragic fate. Yet, the remnants are confined to a box, preventing a father's closure after such prolonged heartbreak.
Awaiting Closure for Over Two Years
Every courtroom visit at Saket reminds Vikas Walker of the ongoing mockery of his situation. Denied even the dignity of his daughter's last rites, the father endures a painful struggle against a system seemingly indifferent to quick resolutions.
Source: aajtak
Trial Still Pending
Despite proximity to Saket Court, no one knows when Shraddha's remains might return to Mumbai, 1,200 kilometers away. This so-called “fast track” court is far from efficient if, after almost two years, not even all the witnesses have testified.
Shraddha's Remains Remain Case Property
There’s no assurance that even a fast track decision will allow Vikas Walker to perform his daughter's last rites, given the high probability of appeals up through higher courts, which might keep her remains bound as “case property.”
Slow Justice Even in Fast Track Courts
India’s judicial system promises uniformity in fast track court procedures, yet disparities abound. While Kolkata resolved a similar crime in two months, Delhi's iteration stretches on for years. The nation's attention, once captured by Shraddha’s story, wanes as procedural inefficiencies and endless posturing drag the ordeal on.
Three Months to Dispose of the Body
On November 12, 2022, the horrific details of Shraddha's murder surfaced, implicating Aftab. He confessed to a heinous act on May 18, 2022, with the concealment and disposal of her body taking place over months. Consequently, the police had only fragments to recover and identify.
Source: aajtak
Charges Formally Filed on January 24, 2023
With media pressure mounting, the case was assigned to the fast track system. Within 75 days post FIR, charges were presented on January 24, 2023, yet almost three additional months passed before charges were officially framed.
47 Witnesses Yet to Testify
Hopes rose as proceedings began on June 1, 2023, at Saket Court, anticipating resolution within months akin to the Nirbhaya case. However, nearly half the witnesses remain unheard, prolonging the trial unduly.
Court Awaits Directives
A major reason behind the sluggish pace is a lack of directive toward day-to-day hearings. If timelines were imposed, it could have mitigated prolonged delays.
Conclusion Still Uncertain
After two years, only now has the court committed to daily hearings from March onwards. Even then, a decision might not arrive until at least May. The prolonged wait is frustratingly indicative of systemic shortcomings.
Source: aajtak
Securing Justice Is Not Simple
Even after potential resolutions from a fast track judgment, higher court reviews ensure that Shraddha's case remains entangled in legal proceedings for years. Her family’s continued struggle underscores systemic inefficiencies.
Noose Still Distant from the Guilty
While Vikas Walker battles for justice, the accused comfortably endures prison life, banking on drawn-out judicial processes. The looming question remains whether the system will categorize the case as extreme, demanding the highest punishment, much like the famed decisions in other infamous cases.
