Shraddha Walkar Murder Case- Delhi High Court Restrains All News Channels From Telecasting Contents Of Chargesheet

The Delhi High Court has restrained all news channels from showing or displaying material of the chargesheet in relation to the Shraddha Walkar Murder case.

The Bench of Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar while issuing notice on the plea, directed the Union of India to ensure that no channel having access to the material displays the same till the disposal of the plea.

Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad and Madhukar Pandey appeared for the petitioner and Advocate Akshay Bhandari appeared for respondent.

In this case, the plea was moved by the Delhi Police seeking to restrain media houses from publishing, printing and disseminating confidential information contained in the chargesheet and other such material collected during the investigation, till date.

The accused-Aftab Poonawalla had allegedly strangulated and killed his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar in May last year. He chopped her body into 35 pieces and disposed the body parts across multiple places in the national capital over several days to avoid detection.

The Trial Court had granted liberty to the Delhi Police to approach a higher forum for seeking relief, and restrained only Aaj Tak News Channel from displaying the contents of the chargesheet, including the recordings or transcript of the narco analysis of the accused.

The Special Public Prosecutor, during the hearing submitted that only Aaj Tak news channel has been restrained by the trial Court from showing the content. And further requested that an order be passed against other news channel as broadcasting the content would not only prejudice the prosecution’s case but would also prejudice the case for the accused as well.

"...any media channel if having access to the above said material shall not display/telecast any material connected with the case. The respondent no.1/Union of India is directed to pass appropriate orders to media agencies from publishing, printing and disseminating confidential information contained in the chargesheet and the other such material collected during the course of information in relation to the case...", the Court said.

Accordingly, the matter is now listed for further hearing on August 3, 2023.

Cause Title- State of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India & Ors.  

Click here to read/download the Order