Women wear burkhas in my community: Aftab Poonawalla had warned Shraddha Walkar

MUMBAI: Aftab Amin Poonawalla, accused of allegedly killing his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar and chopping her body into 35 pieces had once warned her when she wore a revealing outfit. “In our community women wear burkhas,” he had screamed at her, according to sources in the know.

A common friend who knew the couple said Aftab was not happy with the fact that Shraddha used to wear shorts and mini skirts and tube tops or sleeveless outfits.

At times he was ok with it, but then he had a lot of mood-swings and used to change his statements now and then, the friend said.

Shraddha Walkar had several scars on her bust, thighs and upper hands which were caused by cigarette burns, says a friend who knew her well.

Once there was a big fight between the couple as Shraddha wore a slightly cleavage-revealing top. Aftab burnt her cleavage skin with a cigarette butt and told her if you want me to marry you, you will have to wear a burkha.

According to the media person, Aftab had told Shraddha on several occasions, “in my religion our women wear burqas and frowned upon her for wearing shorts, mini skirts and such revealing outfits.” There were huge fights between the couple over Shraddha’s outfits.

According to sources, Shraddha Walkar was hospitalized in 2020 for intense back pain caused by Aftab Poonawalla assaulting her. They had apparently also quarreled about her attire, the friend said.

Reports allege that Aftab once burnt Shraddha’s back with a cigarette. In fact, Shraddha had several scars from cigarette burns. Shraddha’s former colleague speaking to India Today TV revealed that on November 23, 2022, Shraddha had called him for help as Aftab had tried to stab and strangle her.

A police complaint was also filed in the matter. Later, Aftab managed to convince Shraddha to return threatening her with suicide, the report said.