Forensic reports have confirmed that some of the bones recovered from the Mehrauli forest in Delhi last month belong to Shraddha Walkar, who was allegedly killed by her live-in partner Aftab Poonawala in May this year.
The Delhi Police had received forensic reports from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Lodhi Road and the Forensic Science Laboratory, Rohini on Wednesday. The CFSL reports were on the DNA tests on bones collected by the police from the Mehrauli jungle and nearby areas.
"In the Shradha murder case, Delhi Police has received the DNA report from CFSL. The DNA report is helpful. We have also received a report of Poonawala's polygraph test from FSL, which will also help in investigation," Special Commiss-ioner of Police (Law & Order) Sagar Preet Hooda told reporters on Thursday. Police sources said few of the bones recovered from the forest belong to Shraddha, but some of the bones match Shraddha's father's DNA.
“These are bones from limbs and other body parts. They have marks on them which show assault from a sharp weapon. The bones matched Shraddha's father's DNA. It means they belong to the woman. These were recovered on the instance of Poonawala. This is critical evidence in the case,” said sources in Delhi Police.
In a related development, Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) VK Saxena has approved a proposal of the Delhi Police to appoint two Special Public Prosecutors in the case.
"L-G VK Saxena has approved the proposal of the Delhi Police for appointment of Special Public Prosecutors to represent the State in the Trial Court in case FIR No. 659 dt. November 10, 2022 u/s 365/302/201 IPC, registered at PS Mehrauli. The matter relates to the gruesome Shraddha murder case. Madhukar Pandey and Amit Prasad, advocates, will be accordingly representing the Delhi Police as Special Public Prosecutors in the matter," an official said.