Disinformation Hindus Human Rights Misinformation

Ram temple for Hindus, not against Muslims

Babri structure was never a masjid as no prayer was offered in years; even Quran disapproves building a masjid on temple remnants “The Economist” has erred in its report on building of a temple for Lord Ram at Ayodhya. Banyan, the columnist in his write up headlined “Narendra Modi is about to fulfil a core promise to Hindus” in the edition dated December 1, 2022 made a desperate attempt to mix Hindu beliefs, ruling BJP’s campaigns and larger governance issues to derive a heady mix. This is symptomatic of several commentators or global media houses that take things granted on issues dear to Hindus in India and elsewhere in the world. To state that the disputed structure pulled down by devout Hindus on December 6 thirty years back as a 16th century mosque reflects writer’s lack of understanding on faith issues. A cursory look at the proceedings in Supreme Court would clearly surmise that no Muslim ever offered prayer at the disputed structure since 1934. This fact has been completely ignored by the columnist. Pulling down a structure on which no prayer was ever offered in last 58-years has been portrayed as an “act of desecration” that sparked riots. This leads to a larger question of India’s civilizational history. Can “The Economist” deny the fact that India was subjected to invasion by aggressors including the British imperialists that transcended to do business and Muslim invaders that eyed India’s pristine wealth and defacing of its rich cultural history, civilizational contribution to the world. To attribute political colour to ‘people’s movement’ for building a Ram temple is again out of place. Several parties’ leaders and people from all walks of life joined the movement that began much before Sh. Narendra Modi and his party BJP made a bid for power in 2014. Though the movement gained momentum in 1985, the disputed structure’s erection was challenged way back in 1858 and first cases were filed in 1885. Ignoring historical facts corroborated by Archaeological Survey of India and other evidence, how does “The Economist” attribute Hindus movement to certain political leaders or whipped up agenda? Muslim religious texts and Quran does not approve of destruction of temples to build their own places of worship. How does Babri structure become a masjid that was built on a pre-existing temple that was there for millennia? Suggestions to the effect that public funds are being used in part to construct the Ram temple at Ayodhya is factually incorrect given that not one rupee from public coffers have ever been deployed in the construction. Devotees from across the country have contributed to the construction of temple and not from public finances. Assumptions on other places of dispute including the structure in Varanasi are far-fetched while the issue is being heard in courts and India has a water tight established law to deal with such disputes. The comment suggesting Qutub Minar may go the Hindu way is again sacrilegious writing and part of ‘The Economist’s agenda push to publish such pieces. Jammu and Kashmir turned into a Muslim majority state only after Hindus were subjected to genocide, abuse, rape and forcefully driven out. If ‘The Economist’ had cared to even have a cursory look at the Indian Constitution that was amended periodically, Article 370 that offered special status to Kashmir was temporary. In any case, no one country can be governed by two constitutions that run their writ in parallel. Is there any European country that has two separate constitutions to govern is the question ‘The Economist’ has to pose for itself before making an erroneous commentary? On the triple talaq that dehumanizes Muslim women, ‘The Economist’ may have to come up-front and make its stand clear. Is it in support of ‘triple talaq’ that has been abused not just in India but globally? In entire Europe and elsewhere, does triple talaq exist in the statute? The Economist view on India’s state of economy as that appears in Banyan’s name is rather ridiculous. How does a reputed media house ignore the fact that India has been one of the fastest growing large economies before, during and in the aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic globally? On most development parameters, India has made fast strides and not getting bogged down in recession as in the case of most European economies and the United States. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been made the whipping boy in the entire write up notwithstanding that majority Indians who exercised their franchise elected him to lead the country. In a multi-party democracy like India, it’s the majority polled votes that count. This basic point seems to have been conveniently missed. Another factually incorrect statement made by the commentator was that Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for Ram Temple. On August 5 last year, he only performed puja to begin the construction while foundation stone was laid much before.

Leadership Media

561

China braces to play dirty in Nepal

Delicate political applecart has the potential to throw up a storm given multiple coalition partners, communists &Maoists may go Beijing way! Rohan Giri Himalayan Kingdom Nepal is going through trying times as no single party would enjoy even simple majority in the Parliament following the November 20 elections. Having said this, the five-party alliance led by Nepali Congress Sher Bahadaur Deuba is set to form the next government in the 275 member Nepali House as the five coalition partners began their power sharing formula in the new dispensation. For a stable government to be sustainable, the alliance will have to get 138 of their candidates elected as members. This seems to be within the reach for the coalition in this Hindu majority state – Kingdom. The results and trends indicate that Nepali Congress has emerged as front runner while the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) is at second place. Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Centre) follows it at third position and Nepal Communist Party (Unified Socialist) would have fourth largest block of elected members. There are currently two significant coalitions in the election, one led by Nepali Congress (NC) and the other by the Nepal Communist Party (United Marxist-Leninist). Apart from this, the National Independent Party entered the fray for first time with its own set of candidates. Nepal Communist Party (United Marxist Leninist) made Nepal’s territorial integrity as its campaign call. Its supremo K.P.Oli took upon himself to withstand pressure from purported India pressure. On the other hand, Nepali Congress party included the country’s territorial conflict with China as its rallying point. International concerns on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) were brought to national debate. After a decade-long deadly Maoist insurgency followed by 10 years of political instability, Nepal adopted new constitution in 2015. This election is the second federal and provincial election in Nepal after the enactment of its constitution in September 2015. Last five years of government have been in turmoil and instability owing to bickering and coups of a different variety. Internal power struggles and flipping sides by political leaders defined the instability in Nepal while the country evolved as an exciting full democracy in South Asia with its own unique character. China’s aggression in Nepal through its wolf diplomats and direct involvement in the political overturns bring to fore its expansionist streak. Case in point is the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s state visit to Kathmandu, transfer of the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, and other high-level interactions in the midst of electoral process. This is typical to the Oligarchs driven Chinese Community Party and its general secretary Xi Jinping. During O.P. Sharma’s term as Prime Minister in 2015-16 and 2019-21, Nepal’s engagement with China was elevated to one of strategic partnership. Chinese scholars believed that since the Nepali Congress took reins, the country progressively drifted away from China. Due to United States presence in Nepal and India being natural ally of the Himalayan Kingdom, Chinese strategists have been working overtime to gain full control on the country as was the case with Pakistan. From Indian perspective, Nepali Congress led by Deuba may be the best bet as of now. New Delhi has been a benevolent partner in Nepal’s progress under the monarchy as well as the new democratic state. India’s concern may accentuate in case communist elements within the majority coalition and maoist extremists driven opposition look at realignment to carve out a pro-China political formation and edge out Nepali Congress even after having emerged the largest party. It is undeniable that during KP Oli’s leadership, relations between Nepal and India deteriorated over a number of issues, including the modification of the map of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani. The roti-beti culture of India and Nepal makes their relationship unique, and the open borders between the two countries provides the facility for citizens to move and manage trade and relationships, especially the Madhesis. During KP Oli’s tenure, he turned to China for supplies, signing a trade and transit treaty that led to the Chinese invasion of Nepali territory. Oli not only attempted to position himself against India to please China but willingly ignored China’s encroachment Nepal territory. India believes in neighbor first policy and Nepal is the immediate neighbor. India has been Nepal’s “firm partner” on the path to peace, progress, and development. This election is important for both Nepal and India to sustain the bilateral ties, cultural and civilizational relations, and geopolitical situation. In this backdrop, China’s mobilization of Nepal’s communist parties may put India’s long-standing relations in a bind. An unholy alliance between Deuba and Oli is being attempted as a way for China to have foothold in the new power structure. Chinese encroachment in the Himalayan state is a challenge for New Delhi as well. Although Nepal elections outcomes are expected to benefit India, it entails strengthening interpersonal links and structurally incorporating Kathmandu into connectivity projects focused on sub-regional trade with India. One would keep fingers crossed as the political slugfest in Nepal unfolds and Chinese dragon breaths down the Himalayan Kingdom’s neck. (Rohan is a journalism graduate from Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) New Delhi, and Manager Operations at CIHS.)

Guest Column

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Panch tatva philosophy to guide India’s G-20 Presidency

Push for partnerships, hope, harmony and healing. Decisive leadership voices policy against war, conflicts and confrontation Narendra Modi Today, India commences its G20 Presidency. The previous 17 Presidencies of the G20 delivered significant results — for ensuring macro-economic stability, rationalising international taxation, relieving debt-burden on countries, among many other outcomes. We will benefit from these achievements, and build further upon them. However, as India assumes this important mantle, I ask myself — can the G20 go further still? Can we catalyse a fundamental mindset shift, to benefit humanity as a whole? I believe we can. Our mind sets are shaped by our circumstances. Through all of history, humanity lived in scarcity. We fought for limited resources, because our survival depended on denying them to others. Confrontation and competition — between ideas, ideologies and identities — became the norm. Unfortunately, we remain trapped in the same zero-sum mindset even today. We see it when countries fight over territory or resources. We see it when supplies of essential goods are weaponised. We see it when vaccines are hoarded by a few, even as billions remain vulnerable. Some may argue that confrontation and greed are just human nature. I disagree. If humans were inherently selfish, what would explain the lasting appeal of so many spiritual traditions that advocate the fundamental one-ness of us all? One such tradition, popular in India, sees all living beings, and even inanimate things, as composed of the same five basic elements — the panch tatva of earth, water, fire, air and space. Harmony among these elements — within us and between us — is essential for our physical, social and environmental well-being. India’s G20 Presidency will work to promote this universal sense of one-ness. Hence our theme — “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. This is not just a slogan. It takes into account recent changes in human circumstances, which we have collectively failed to appreciate. Today, we have the means to produce enough to meet the basic needs of all people in the world. Today, we do not need to fight for our survival — our era need not be one of war. Indeed, it must not be one! Today, the greatest challenges we face — climate change, terrorism, and pandemics — can be solved not by fighting each other, but only by acting together. Fortunately, today’s technology also gives us the means to address problems on a humanity-wide scale. The massive virtual worlds that we inhabit today demonstrate the scalability of digital technologies. Housing one-sixth of humanity, and with its immense diversity of languages, religions, customs and beliefs, India is a microcosm of the world. With the oldest-known traditions of collective decision-making, India contributes to the foundational DNA of democracy. As the mother of democracy, India’s national consensus is forged not by diktat, but by blending millions of free voices into one harmonious melody. Today, India is the fastest growing large economy. Our citizen-centric governance model takes care of even our most marginalised citizens, while nurturing the creative genius of our talented youth. We have tried to make national development not an exercise in top-down governance, but rather a citizen-led “people’s movement”. We have leveraged technology to create digital public goods that are open, inclusive and interoperable. These have delivered revolutionary progress in fields as varied as social protection, financial inclusion, and electronic payments. For all these reasons, India’s experiences can provide insights for possible global solutions. During our G20 Presidency, we shall present India’s experiences, learnings and models as possible templates for others, particularly the developing world. Our G20 priorities will be shaped in consultation with not just our G20 partners, but also our fellow-travellers in the Global South, whose voice often goes unheard. Our priorities will focus on healing our “One Earth”, creating harmony within our “One Family” and giving hope for our “One Future”. For healing our planet, we will encourage sustainable and environment-friendly lifestyles, based on India’s tradition of trusteeship towards nature. For promoting harmony within the human family, we will seek to depoliticise the global supply of food, fertilisers and medical products, so that geopolitical tensions do not lead to humanitarian crises. As in our own families, those whose needs are the greatest must always be our first concern. For imbuing hope in our future generations, we will encourage an honest conversation among the most powerful countries — on mitigating risks posed by weapons of mass destruction and enhancing global security. India’s G20 agenda will be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive. Let us join together to make India’s G20 Presidency a presidency of healing, harmony and hope. Let us work together to shape a new paradigm — of human-centric globalisation. (author is India’s Prime Minister and the write up coincides with India taking over presidency of G-20)

Leadership Media Policy

503

India to assume G-20 Presidency on Thursday

On Thursday, India will take formal charge of G-20 as President from Indonesia amidst several challenges faced internationally especially terrorism, radicalization and recession staring in the face across Europe, Covid 19 virus and challenge to President Xi Jingping’s leadership in China apart from unending war in Ukraine. India brings to table a lot of value to G-20 – the most influential global forum of developed and developing countries representing roughly 4.6 billion people – as President till November 30, 2023. Showcasing unity with diversity, India’s culture, products from each of the districts with over 200 events, stakeholders meetings across the country including Jammu & Kashmir as well as Arunachal Pradesh may be attempted by India gearing up to lead the world. If initial reports are to be believed, stakeholders, Presidents & Prime Ministers apart from negotiating groups and officials from these countries will be hosted in 50 cities in India. About 100 Indian monuments will be illuminated with G-20 logo that pushes for ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’, world as one big family. Students and youth from colleges and universities in different states will get to be part of this largest international outreach during next one year. G-20 group accounts for 20 major economies of the world, more than 80 per cent of global GDP, 75 per cent international trade and 60 per cent of the population. The forum has met every year since 1999. Its leaders meet for an annual G20 Leaders’ Summit since 2008.

Fact Sheet

807

Why the tirade against ‘Hindus’?

Does this point to intellectual bankruptcy of ‘The Guardian’ or part of an agenda driven journalistic pursuit that needs to be debunked Hindus neither spew hatred nor Chauvinism ever. By belief, Hindus are tolerant and all inclusive in nature, thought and practice. ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’, entire humanity across world is a large family is the concept which Hindus in India and elsewhere have believed and are wedded to. In blatant diatribe, ‘The Guardian’ editorial “Modi’s India: the danger of exporting Hindu Chauvinism” (Sunday edition of November 27, 2022) is an unacceptable position on Hindus that have lived for ages peacefully and contributed socio-economically in about 100 countries including US, the UK and Europe. India and Hindus over the years has had been a victims of radicalization and imperialistic aggression of every shade and variety including that from United Kingdom for over two centuries. Plunder, abuse and destruction of the entire Hindu civilization was at the root of this anti-human invasion that happened all in the name of business. In fact, these historical facts were hidden from the younger generations in UK forcing a few British youngsters to recently take up a project to explore afresh the abuse that was heaped on Hindu civilization over centuries by Britain. Whether ‘The Guardian’ as a media house likes it or not, India’s leadership at G-20 and its lead in cleaning up the environmental mess created by industrialized western economies cannot be questioned. This ‘clean up’ act of India continued immediately after Paris accord was concluded by the then COP 26 though the much promised $ 100 billion funds and technology in support from the western polluters never happened. With regards to state of Muslims in India, ‘The Guardian’ editorial board and the management seems to be clueless on tremendous strides made by 200-odd million people (State of Religious Minorities in India) across sectors including political spectrum. Muslims are neither intimidated second class citizens as claimed by ‘The Guardian’ nor have they been targeted as suggested in the edit. Hindus have never ever supported hatred of any kind in stark contrast to what has been pushed as ‘agenda’ based writing through ‘The Guardian’ editorial that lacks basis, evidence or testimony. Blowing out of proportion, a few handful incidents to denigrate the entire Hindu civilization, India and its political leadership by extension is rather bankruptcy of worst kind seen in recent times. While BBC had pursued a similar ‘anti-Hindu’ and ‘anti-India’ editorial line, the British broadcaster had to face huge protests from otherwise peace loving Hindus living in United Kingdom. ‘The Guardian’ has built its reputation over decades and moving towards disrepute through such flippant commentary does not augur well for British media at large. Denying Prime Minister Narendra Modi visa while he was chief minister of Gujarat was an unpardonable mis-adventurism that US administration had resorted to. Realizing its mistake perhaps was understandable to say the least. ‘The Guardian’ did not care to recognize the sequence of Godhra riots of 2002 when peaceful Hindus that included women and children were burnt alive by a frenzy misled radicalized Muslim mob. US Commission on International Religious Freedom has been on an anti-India and anti-Hindu trip over the years. Why should Hindus become the whipping boys in managing larger political posturing by political parties in US? Hindus and India are well within their right to debunk biased and inaccurate observations made in the reports dished out periodically to suit the predominant US diatribe. Birmingham and Leicester attacks were clearly aimed at Hindus that were executed in a premeditated fashion by design. Whether ‘The Guardian’ acknowledges or not, harsh reality is that targeted attacks on Hindus and fermenting Hinduphobia is on the rise. Several media houses including ‘The Guardian’ have peddled half-truths and lies that masjids were attacked by Hindus. Henry Jackson Society’s centre on radicalization and terrorism in its detailed report has exposed this ‘false narrative’ on Hindus in the Leicester attacks by Muslims. Tolerance and forgiving the perpetrators of colonial rule and radicalization has been trademark of Hindus and not the other way.

Disinformation Fact Sheet Misinformation Policy

598

Soul of the Indian Constitution

The constitution is the soul of the Republic of India that, is Bharat. Bharat’s civilisational history, values, and needs of India and its people served as inspiration for the Indian Constitution. It is undoubtedly true that many of the organisational components of institutions like the Parliament and the Judiciary were influenced by other nations, however, Bharat’s ideals remained the guiding principles and values that shaped the Indian constitution. The Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949, and it came into force on January 26, 1950. It established a parliamentary system of government with a comprehensive federal framework and some unitary characteristics. India has the world’s longest constitution amongst any sovereign state. For a country as diverse and complex as India, the success of the Indian Constitution never ceases to fascinate, surprise, and inspire specialists from all over the world

Fact Sheet Media

531

Corrupt Pak Army General, rudderless security establishment

Qamar Bajwa turned billionaire in six years On November 29, 2016, General Qamar Bajwa took charge as Pakistan’s sixteenth chief of Army staff (COAS), succeeding General Raheel Sharif. Within six years of being Army chief, Bajwa’s family became a billionaire, with assets and businesses within Pakistan and outside accumulated of Pakistani rupees 12.7 billion translates to $56.5 million. Prior to his appointment as a COAS, his wife, Ayesha Amjad, was not even a taxpayer but owned three properties worth Pakistani rupees 70 lakhs. Currently, Ayesha Amjad is a multi-billionaire with large farmhouses in Gulberg Greens Islamabad and Karachi, multiple residential plots in Lahore, commercial plots and plazas under Defence Housing Authority schemes, with over half a million dollars in US accounts. his daughter-in-law Mahnoor Sabir was declared zero assets in October 2018, and just a week before her marriage on November 02, 2018, the assets touches one billion Pakistani rupees. Similarly, Bajwa’s close friend and other family members’ assets jumped to billions, but this is not shocking as Bajwa is Pakistan’s COAS, and Pakistan Army holds the country’s political, economic, social and criminal wealth.

Business Policy

558

FTAs, free for all?

Free trade agreements with Japan and South Korea have not worked in India’s favour. Will the deals with Australia and UAE deliver? K.A.Badarinath After Canberra ratified the India Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) on Tuesday there was huge sense of achievement that overtook the establishment and media outlets. While fine print was still hazy given that second phase of the deal was yet to be concluded, duty cuts and liberalized visa regimes was touted as a big deal for Indian side. There’s no denying that bilateral trade deals are here to stay given that multi-lateral negotiations at forums like World Trade Organization have come to a virtual standstill, limited trade and investment blocks take long time to get going. Taking bilateral trade to US $ 50 billion in five years from the prevailing $ 31 billion with Australia is laudable. Billion-dollar question however, would be which side will the trade balance tilt? The next deal that may get operative is the pact with United Arab Emirates which was also signed eight months ago. Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Abu Dhabi and New Delhi may be more comprehensive. UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan is in New Delhi to give a big push to CEPA. Here again, the trade balance is in favour of UAE as of now and it may only widen further after the CEPA.As per Indian commerce ministry figures, imports from UAE were US $ 28.4 billion as against $ 16 billion exports during April – September 2022. Widening trade imbalance may be a source of concern in free trade agreement with Australia or CEPA with UAE. After a hiatus during first three years, Narendra Modi government signed 13 trade deals or operationalized agreements with partners in last five years. Hastening bilateral agreements became a necessity given the $ 5 trillion economic target that India set for itself in its economic expansion game plan. But then, have these agreements done well for Indian industry, exporters, service providers, farmers and consumers is a valid question that needs to be answered. There’s no verifiable data to back any claims of a big benefit to Indian side. Data available with Commerce Ministry, RBI and Finance Ministry also needs to be collated and reconciled. In the past, industry and trading community in India have complained that deals with Japan and South Korea never worked in India’s favour as the trade balance and investment gap only widened with several desi companies, services losing out. Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius, Thailand, Malaysia bracketed as neighbourhood countries or South East Asian neighbours were others with whom free trade deals were operative. Even if trade balance was in their favour, India has the potential to play ‘big brother’ role. But with biggies like Japan, South Korea, UAE and Australia, terms of engagement may be a clinching factor. Two regional deals with ASEAN and SAFTA were also scrutinized on cost benefit issues. In addition, six preferential trade agreements with limited scope became operative between India and its partners like Afghanistan, Chile etc. In this category also falls the agreement India has with Mercosur (South American block) and Asia Pacific nations through APTA. Free trade negotiations will be kicked off with United Kingdom, Canada, European Union and Gulf nations later this week. Here again, the big question is what are India’s gains? While bilateral and limited blocks trade is an imperative, Indian negotiators must be sensitive enough to ensure that FTAs do not turn out to be free for all and nothing much for India. Free trade as a concept has undergone serious makeover especially after Western developed economies including US has shunned the hitherto flexible economic, investment and trade partnerships. There’s no alternative to engaging the world on multiple fronts. But, big question is on what’s in it for India? (The writer is Director and Chief Executive of New Delhi based think tank, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies)

Disinformation Fact Sheet Hindus Misinformation World

528

Explainer: Weaponisation of social media against Hindus in UK

Leicester, the heartland of the Hindu community in the United Kingdom, is home to the second-largest Hindu populace in Europe. Widely known for its vibrant Hindu culture and stunningly beautiful Hindu festivities throughout the world. Since late August 2022 until September 2022, the city’s minority British Hindu community had been the target of deliberate, organised, and systematic acts of violence including vandalisation of a local Hindu temple by South-Asian origin Muslims in the UK. For nearly a month from late August until September 2022, Hindus were overwhelming victims of violent crimes like attempted stabbings, looting, organising to commit crimes, vandalism, and hate speech. Despite assurances of safety from the local authorities and Leicestershire police, British Hindu homes and business establishments in Leicester were targeted by organised, violent Islamist mobs. Extreme Islamist groups in the UK waged a systematic terror campaign against British Hindus while they were in Leicester, subjecting them to extreme threats, assaults, and trauma. A large-scale mobilisation of violent extremist Islamists and criminals to Leicester with the intention of damaging the city’s Hindu population was made possible by online hate campaigns that were planned both within and outside of the UK to incite hatred and spread misinformation against Hindus. This was reiterated by a recent research entitled “In a Cyber Social Swarming Precedes Real World Riots in Leicester: How Social Media Became a Weapon for Violence” released on November 17, 2022 by the National Contagion Research Institute (NCRI), a cyber threat intelligence organisation. In this explainer; we discuss its findings…. read more

Hindus Human Rights World

549

Aaftab, the Killer Butcher

A gruesome murder and mutilation case in New Delhi has stunned the Indian society. On May 18, 2022, a Muslim man named Aaftab Ameen Poonawalla mercilessly slaughtered and mutilated a 26-year-old Dalit Hindu woman named Shraddha Walkar. Six months after the crime, on November 14, 2022, officials detained and eventually arrested Aaftab following his confession to the heinous murder and dismemberment of Shraddha. Both call centre workers Shraddha and Aaftab are from Vasai in Maharashtra’s Palghar district. In 2019, they found one another on the dating app “Bumble.” and not long after they began dating. Shraddha relocated to live with Aaftab out of love. After the couple moved to Delhi in 2022, Shraddha asked Aaftab to fulfil one of his many vows to marry her. In the recently acquired flat of Chhatarpur neighbourhood in New Delhi, on May 18, 2022, Aaftab strangled Shraddha after they argued about their impending marriage. Later that day, Aaftab dismemberment Shraddha’s body into 35 pieces, and stored the pieces in a refrigerator that had been purchased the very same day especially for the purpose. When questioned by Delhi police, Aaftab acknowledged that he watched a number of international crime dramas, notably the American crime drama “Dexter,” before murdering Shraddha. He further revealed that working as a chef at a five-star hotel in Delhi had provided him the skill to dismember Shraddha. Prior to dissecting Shraddha’s body, he claimed to have read extensively on human anatomy and to have done some online research on how to remove blood stains from the crime scene. Since Shraddha’s violent murder in May, Aaftab, up until June, was active on Shraddha’s Instagram account till june and made purchases and payments using her credit card to maintain the appearance that she was still alive. While Shraddha’s severed body parts were still in the refrigerator, kitchen, and cupboards. Aaftab routinely invited new women that he met on the same dating app into the same apartment. He tried to mask the stench of Shraddha’s remains with potpourri, air fresheners, and incense sticks. Shraddha is said to have cut off contact with her parents since they disapproved of her relationship with Aaftab. Friends of Shraddha would occasionally let her parents know where she was. However, when Shraddha’s father Vikas Madan Walker was unable to contact her for an extended period of time or learn of her whereabouts, he made a police report at Manikpur Police Station in Vasai West, Mumbai; the case was then transferred to Mehrauli Police Station in New Delhi. A senior police officer from the Mehrauli Police Station who questioned Aaftab indicated that when they questioned Aaftab, they were not convinced by his explanation of Shraddha’s disappearance. After detailed questioning, he confessed to the murder and indicated that he had chopped her body into 35 pieces. A case has been filed at the Mehrauli police station under IPC sections 201 (causing the removal of evidence of an offence committed) and 302 (murder) in connection with Aaftab’s arrest. In grief and anger, Lakshman Nadar, a friend of Shraddha, stated, “Once she (Shraddha) contacted me on WhatsApp and asked to rescue her from her residence. She said that if she stayed with him (Aaftab) that night, he would kill her.” Similarly, another Friend, Rajat Shukla suggested that Shraddha and Aaftab initially coexisted well, but then Aaftab began abusing her. She wanted to leave, he claimed, but was unable to. As of November 15, 2022, Delhi Police was looking into the case, and Aaftab has been escorting them to the sites where he dumped Shraddha’s body’s fragments. The remains of 12 samples that were initially believed to be human remains have been forwarded for forensic analysis by Delhi Police.

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