Fresh forensic details have emerged in the 2022 Shraddha Walkar murder case, with sources claiming that psychological assessments conducted on accused Aftab Amin Poonawala indicated traits associated with psychopathic and sociopathic behaviour. According to the sources, the evaluations suggested characteristics such as emotional detachment, lack of empathy and manipulative tendencies. The developments come as legal proceedings in the high-profile case continue, amid concerns over delays in the trial.
The psychological assessments reportedly included the Aggressive Tendency Scale, the Eysenck Personality Inventory, the Picture Frustration Test and the Emotional Maturity Test. These tests are designed to evaluate personality traits, emotional responses, aggression levels and an individual's ability to cope with stress. Sources said the results pointed towards significant emotional detachment and a focus on self-preservation rather than empathy. However, these findings have not been independently verified in court.
According to the sources, Poonawala did not display remorse for the alleged crime during the assessments. Instead, his primary concern was said to be avoiding legal consequences. The forensic findings relate to the investigation into the killing of Shraddha Walkar in May 2022. Investigators alleged that Poonawala murdered his live-in partner, dismembered her body and disposed of the remains at multiple locations in and around Delhi over several days, a case that drew nationwide attention.
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The forensic revelations come as Walkar's family's legal counsel has accused the defence of delaying the trial. Advocate Seema Samridhi Kushwaha recently said the family plans to approach the Delhi High Court seeking an expedited hearing after a scheduled trial date was cancelled. The hearing, originally fixed for July 20, was deferred after Poonawala informed the court that he was scheduled to appear for his Master of Arts (Sociology) examination at an IGNOU examination centre inside Tihar Jail on the same day.
Kushwaha said the repeated delays have prevented Walkar's family from performing her final rites because her recovered remains continue to be treated as case property and cannot be released until the trial concludes. She also noted the personal hardships endured by the family, stating that Walkar's father, who had been deeply affected by the case, died of a heart attack in February 2025, while her mother had passed away in 2020. According to the lawyer, Walkar's brother occasionally visits, and she continues to represent the family in court.
The Shraddha Walkar murder case remains one of the country's most closely watched criminal trials. While the latest psychological findings have surfaced through sources familiar with the investigation, the court will determine their evidentiary value during the trial. The proceedings are ongoing, and Poonawala continues to face trial in connection with the charges against him.
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