Aaftab Poonawala denies moving bail application, says done erroneously

Appearing before court through video conferencing around 11.30 am, Poonawala said even though he had signed the vakalatnama (a document by which the accused in the case authorises the advocate to represent him), he was not aware that a bail application would be filed on his behalf.

“I would like the counsel to talk to me and then withdraw the bail plea,” he said, replying to an enquiry by the judge on whether he intended to withdraw the bail application. He requested that his bail application be kept pending and only after he had a word with his counsel, he would decide if he wanted to press the present bail plea. The judge has deferred the hearing to December 22.

Khan, on the other hand, told the court that this was unprecedented and that there must have been “some pressure” in this case.

Khan told the court, “We have signed documents, there are signatures of jail superintendent also. Does this ever happen in a bail application? There is some pressure.” Poonawala (28) allegedly killed 27-year-old Walkar on May 18, chopped her body into more than 30 pieces and disposed of the parts over two to three months.