Four tech officials from Google, Gmail, WhatsApp and Bumble will be testifying before the Delhi Police through video conferencing in the Shraddha Walkar murder case, to avoid delays and expense.
Aftab Poonawalla killed his live-in partner, Shraddha Walkar in May 2022.
New Delhi,Oct 12, 2026 16:03 IST
A Delhi court has allowed the police to record the testimonies of four officials associated with WhatsApp, Google, Gmail and dating app Bumble through video conferencing from the United States and the United Kingdom in the Shraddha Walker murder case, in which her live-in partner, Aaftab Amin Poonawala, is facing trial.
Additional Sessions Judge Hargurvinder Singh Jaggi approved the Delhi Police application on Saturday, citing the expenses involved in bringing the witnesses to India and the possibility of delays in the trial. The court observed that recording their statements through video conferencing would help expedite the proceedings and serve the interests of justice.
The four witnesses named in the police application are Adrian Silveira, a nodal officer associated with WhatsApp and Meta Platforms; Shelby Smith, a nodal officer for Google; Aarti Sheth, a nodal officer associated with Gmail; and Luke Mitsi, a nodal officer and law enforcement operations manager at Bumble Group.
WHY TECH OFFICIALS' STATEMENTS CRUCIAL
Shraddha Walker, 27, was allegedly murdered by her live-in partner, Aaftab Amin Poonawala, in Delhi in May 2022. According to the prosecution, Poonawala strangled Walker, dismembered her body and disposed of the remains at multiple locations.
The case came to light months after the alleged murder, when Walker's father reported her missing. Poonawala was subsequently arrested and charged with murder and destruction of evidence.
The examination of the four officials is part of the police's efforts to present evidence linked to digital records in the case.
Their testimony is necessary to authenticate the digital evidence, and the nodal officers are required to submit evidence by way of affidavits under Section 296 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Digital evidence, alongside forensic findings and DNA evidence, has been an important part of the investigation into Walker's murder. The court's order enables the police to proceed with the necessary arrangements to examine the overseas witnesses while avoiding potential delays associated with their physical presence in India.
The court directed that the examination of the four witnesses begin on December 1, with one witness scheduled to be examined each day.
The Delhi Police will coordinate with the relevant Indian diplomatic missions and government departments to complete the formalities required to secure their appearances.
Each witness based overseas will be required to appear at the Indian embassy or high commission nearest to their residential or office address. An official from the concerned Indian diplomatic mission will coordinate the process.
A copy of the order is to be sent to the relevant Indian embassies and high commissions, the Joint Secretary in charge of the consular, passport and visa division of the Ministry of External Affairs, and the concerned nodal officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Summons and other required documents will be transmitted through the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs in accordance with the prescribed legal procedure.
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