Nagpur: In a significant development in the Nagpur Ram Jhula accident case, the court is set to deliver its verdict on the anticipatory bail application of Ritika alias Ritu Dinesh Malu on May 24. District and Sessions Judge R S Bhosle Patil scheduled the decision after the conclusion of arguments on Monday.
The prosecution, represented by Assistant Public Prosecutor Rashmi Khaparde, has argued for Malu’s custody. Malu, a 39-year-old resident of Deshpande Layout, is accused of driving a Mercedes that resulted in the deaths of Mohd Hussain Gulam Mustafa (34) from Naal Sahab Square, Mominpura, and Mohd Atif Mohd Jiya (32) from Jafar Nagar on the night of February 24.
Following the accident, Malu and her companion Madhuri Shishir Sarda (37), from Wardhaman Nagar, fled the scene. Both women later surrendered to the police and admitted their involvement in the incident at Ram Jhula. The Tehsil Police registered a case under Sections 279, 338, and 304(a) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with Section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act.
Initially, Ritika Malu was granted bail as Section 304(a) is a bailable offense. However, a blood sample revealed she was driving under the influence of alcohol, leading to the addition of Section 304 of the IPC, a non-bailable offense. The police informed the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court and sought her custody, but their application was rejected. Subsequently, the police approached the District and Sessions Court for her custody.
Police Inspector Sandip Buwa of Tehsil Police emphasized the strength of their case against Malu, citing evidence such as the blood sample report, CP Club bills, CCTV footage, and eyewitness testimonies. The court’s decision on her anticipatory bail is now eagerly awaited.
