NEW DELHI: Aaftab Amin Poonawala, who is facing trial for the murder of his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar, has told a Delhi court that fellow inmates in Tihar Jail have threatened to slash his face with makeshift weapons.Taking note of his complaint, the court on Monday directed jail authorities to take immediate steps to protect him and said he could be shifted to a separate ward or cell, if required.Additional Sessions Judge Hargurvarinder Singh Jaggi, who was recording prosecution evidence in the case, was informed by Poonawala that some inmates had been threatening him repeatedly over the past 10 days.He alleged that they had threatened to slash his face with “improvised weapons” and cause him bodily harm.In its order, the court said, “The court deems fit to direct the concerned Jail Superintendent to take immediate steps to ensure safety and security of the accused. Further, if required, the accused may be kept in a separate ward and/or cell away from the notorious inmates.”Poonawala told the court that he was lodged in Jail No. 4A of Tihar Jail, which houses a special cell and also functions as a punishment ward. He raised concerns about his safety and security inside the prison.After considering his submissions, the court directed the jail superintendent to take immediate measures to protect the accused and submit an action-taken report at the earliest.It also ordered that a copy of the order be forwarded to the jail authorities and the investigating officer for compliance.“The safety of an undertrial prisoner is a top priority and one of the hallmark principles of the criminal justice system. It is the duty of the state to keep UTPs (under trial prisoners) safe and secure, which is within the realm of a right to fair trial of an accused,” the judge said.Poonawala also gave the court the names of five inmates who had allegedly threatened him. However, the judge directed that their names be redacted from the proceedings record to maintain confidentiality and protect the accused’s safety.The case pertains to the 2022 murder of 27-year-old Shraddha Walkar, a call centre employee, who was allegedly killed by her live-in partner, Poonawala.According to the prosecution, Poonawala strangled Walkar, chopped her body into multiple pieces, stored them in a refrigerator and disposed of the remains over several days at different locations across Delhi.Poonawala had rented a flat in Delhi’s Mehrauli, where the alleged murder took place. He was arrested on November 12, 2022.The prosecution further alleged that he dumped Walkar’s body parts in a forested area after killing her.The trial in the case has been pending since 2023. Walkar’s father, Vikas Walkar, who had pursued the case after her death, passed away in 2025.(With PTI inputs)