Nagpur: It has been nearly a month since the horrific accident on Ram Jhula in Nagpur that claimed the lives of two youths, Mohd Hussain Gulam Mustafa (34) and Mohd Ateef (32), when a recklessly driven Mercedes collided with their two-wheeler. The Mercedes was being driven by Ritika Maloo, also known as Ritu. The incident sent shockwaves throughout Nagpur, but there has been almost no progress in the investigation, prompting a press conference held by the victims’ families and Janta Foundation President Quazi Zishan Siddiqui, demanding justice.
Many eyebrows were raised over the handling of the case by the police. Initially, the police charged Ritika Maloo under Section 304(A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to causing death by negligence, rather than the non-bailable Section 304, which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. This decision effectively allowed Ritika to secure bail within 24 hours of her arrest.
Subsequently, following the discovery of alcohol content in Ritika Maloo’s blood samples, the police informed the court of their intention to invoke the non-bailable Section 304 (II) of the IPC for culpable homicide. However, despite this development, the police have yet to apply for the cancellation of Ritika’s bail before the Sessions Court. This inconsistency and delay in the police’s actions have raised significant questions regarding their handling of the case and whether there is a concerted effort to let the woman Mercedes driver off the hook.
The families of the victims, along with Quazi Zishan Siddiqui, have expressed deep concern over the lack of progress and apparent inconsistencies in the investigation. They have called for swift and transparent action to ensure that justice is served for Mohd Hussain Gulam Mustafa and Mohd Ateef. Siddiqui emphasized the need for the police to act responsibly and with integrity, ensuring that all relevant evidence is thoroughly examined and that appropriate charges are filed.
As the case continues to unfold, there is growing pressure on the Nagpur Police to expedite their investigation and to demonstrate a commitment to delivering justice for the victims and their families. The public remains vigilant, urging authorities to uphold the principles of fairness and accountability in handling this tragic incident.
