Shraddha trolled on her Insta handle for dating Muslim man
MUMBAI: A low-key social media user, Shraddha Walkar had a mere 120 followers on Instagram. Since her death, allegedly at the hands of her live-in partner Aaftab Poonawala, her tribe of followers has grown to 5,117. While a handful of them have extended their sympathies and condolences, a majority of Instagrammers have said she herself invited her terrible fate.
Poonawala, 28, is accused of murdering Walkar, 27, on May 18 at their rented accommodation in south Delhi’s Chhattarpur Pahadi area, dismembering her body, and dumping the body parts at forested areas across the Capital over a period of three months. The couple was originally from Vasai in Maharashtra and had moved to their rented house in the Capital just three days before the murder.
On Instagram, some blamed Walkar for going against her parents’ wishes and moving in with Poonawala, while others blamed her for being ‘ultra-modern’ and opting for ‘western evils’ like a live-in relationship. Many have also said she deserved a macabre end because she got involved with a man outside her faith.
Cyber-psychologist Dr Nirali Bhatia put down the toxic phenomenon to a very basic tenet — everyone has an opinion and wants it to be heard.
“Only cyberspace offers a platform to say exactly what you feel without being bound by societal norms or codes of conduct... The internet lets you get away with it,” said Dr Bhatia. She said those posting the comments on Walkar’s page are fully aware the account is at the centre of attention , and are happy to have some of it diverted towards their views.
“Social media has given rise to a culture of everyone appointing themselves as judge, jury and executioner. Besides, your virtual identity is now linked to your actual identity and hence, even though the people know that Walkar is no more, at some level they still feel that they are talking to her,” Dr Bhatia said.
Cyber police officers said that there are ways in which this can be controlled, but the parties concerned would have to take steps to initiate the process. “Since the account was being used by a murder victim, the investigating agency will need to examine it as evidence. Hence, the account can be preserved but made inactive. This can be done if the investigating agency writes to Instagram. Her family can also give a letter to the local cyber police station,” a police officer from Mumbai said.
Social media has given rise to a culture of everyone appointing themselves as judge, jury and executioner. DR NIRALI BHATIA, Cyber-psychologist
Probe into all remains found in South Delhi
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police said on Thursday that they are looking at all cases of human remains being found from south Delhi between May 18 and September 15, widening their investigation into the Shraddha Walkar murder case.
Senior officers associated with the probe said the accused, Aaftab Poonawala, 28, has been giving contradictory statements, and is yet to lead them to the places where he allegedly disposed the body parts.