Palghar, Maharashtra: Vikas Walkar, father of Shraddha Walkar, whose gruesome murder in 2022 by her live-in partner Aftab Poonawalla shocked the nation, died of a heart attack in Vasai on Sunday morning. He was 59 years old. The tragedy adds another layer of sorrow to the already heartbreaking case, as Shraddha's final rites remain incomplete.
Shraddha (28), a resident of Vasai, was murdered by Poonawalla in Delhi in May 2022. He dismembered her body into 35 pieces and disposed of them in a Gurgaon forest. The case came to light on November 14, 2022, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice. Vikas Walkar had been tirelessly pursuing the case for the past three years.
On Sunday morning, Vikas Walkar suffered a severe heart attack and was admitted to Cardinal Gracias Hospital in Vasai. He passed away during treatment. He resided in Sanskrit Apartment in Vasai. The news of his death spread quickly, causing a wave of grief. His cremation took place in Vasai on Sunday evening.
A key element of the tragedy is the incomplete recovery of Shraddha's remains. Delhi Police recovered only 13 of her body parts. As it was Shraddha's wish to be cremated, her father had repeatedly visited Delhi, demanding the remaining body parts. He expressed frustration with the slow pace of the legal proceedings, despite the case being fast-tracked. He felt deeply saddened by the inability to fulfill his daughter's final wish. He had even threatened a hunger strike in Delhi if the remains were not returned. He hoped for a similar outcome to the Nirbhaya case, where the perpetrators were swiftly brought to justice.
Following Shraddha's murder, Vikas Walkar established the Shraddha Walkar Charitable Trust on August 18, 2024, in Vasai. The trust focuses on raising awareness among young women about relationship violence and provides counseling, legal aid, and social support. Former MP Kirit Somaiya and Advocate Seema Kushwaha, who represented the family in court, attended the trust's inauguration. Through the Shraddha Walkar Charitable Trust, Vikas Walkar worked to raise awareness among girls and provide them with counseling, legal aid, and social support.
