Experts begin Aaftab’s polygraph test

A panel of psychologists on Tuesday night carried out a polygraph test on Aaftab Poonawala, accused of murdering his girlfriend Shraddha Walkar, according to forensic science laboratory (FSL) officials aware of the matter.

Poonawala, 28, allegedly strangled Walkar, 27, at their accommodation in south Delhi’s Chhattarpur Pahadi on May 18, chopped up her body into 35 pieces, and dumped the body parts in forested areas in the Capital.

A polygraph test on Poonawala was conducted at the FSL headquarters in Rohini after the Delhi Police secured permission for it from a city court, and the suspect gave his consent for the test, FSL officials said.

To be sure, the result of a polygraph tests is not considered a “confession”, and is not admissible in the court of law. The tests are done only to assist investigators in their investigation and get leads from the suspect, and the test is not scientifically proven to have a complete success rate.

As the procedure continued till late on Tuesday night, it was not immediately known if the test yielded any results that may help investigators in connection with the alleged crime.

Despite repeated attempts, FSL director Deepa Verma and deputy commissioner of police (south) Chandan Chowdhary were not available for comment.

PROCEDURE CONTINUED TILL LATE ON TUESDAY NIGHT; WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY KNOWN RESULTS THAT MAY HELP INVESTIGATORS IN CONNECTION WITH ALLEGED CRIME