Delhi court extends judicial custody of Aftab Poonawala for 14-days

New Delhi, January 10: The judicial custody of the accused in Shraddha Walker murder case has been extended for 14 days.  

In the meantime, Poonawala requested for some law books.    

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The court has also directed the authorities to provide him with warm clothes.

The plea of Delhi Police also seeks permission to obtain a voice sample of Poonawala, a Delhi court said even though a fair trial is a right of an accused but at the same time, a fair investigation is required in the larger public interest.

On the same, Delhi court said, "True, a fair trial is the right of the accused but it is also true that fair investigation is also required in the larger public interest as the offence cannot escape and crime cannot go unnoticed merely because the accused is not ready to aid in the investigation."

"Thus, the application moved by the Investigating Officer (IO) seeking permission for a voice sampling test of the accused is allowed," the court said.

The court also noted that, "It was further observed in the case that the Fundamental Right to Privacy cannot be construed as absolute and must bow down to compelling public interest."

"It is clear that a voice sampling test can be conducted even if the accused does not consent to the same. An opportunity of seeking the will of the accused after informing the nature of application moved by IO is already granted to the accused," the court said.

The court further observed, "Even though the accused is not willing to give voice sample for voice sampling test, however, I am of the considered view that the accused can still be asked to give the voice sample to investigating agency for reaching the ends of the justice and also for a fair investigation."

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Meanwhile, Poonawala is accused of killing his girlfriend, Shraddha, chopping her body and dumping the remains in the forests of South Delhi's Chhatarpur.