Nagpur: Ritika Malu, accused of driving the Mercedes involved in a fatal crash on Ram Jhula that killed two people in February, has approached the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court seeking anticipatory bail. This move comes after District and Sessions Judge R S Bhosle (Patil) denied her pre-arrest bail application. The High Court is expected to hear her petition on Tuesday.
Malu, a resident of Deshpande Layout, filed her application before a vacation bench, seeking relief in connection with charges under Section 304 of the IPC, according to her counsel, Adv Prakash Jaiswal.
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Wed 11 Dec. 2024
The incident in question occurred on the night of February 24, 2024, resulting in the deaths of Mohammad Hussain Gulam Mustafa (34) of Mominpura and Mohammad Atif Mohammad Joya (32) of Jafar Nagar. Allegedly driving under the influence, Malu, accompanied by Madhuri Shishir Sarda (37), fled the scene but later surrendered and were subsequently arrested. Initially, charges were filed under Section 304(a) of the IPC and Section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act, both of which are bailable offenses. Malu was granted bail by the JMFC court at that stage.
However, upon receiving the blood sample report confirming Malu’s intoxication, the police added the more serious charge under Section 304 of the IPC. Following this, the police sought her custody from the JMFC, which was denied. Subsequently, Malu’s application for anticipatory bail in this non-bailable offense was rejected by the District and Sessions Court.
Advocate Prakash Jaiswal argued that the police investigation is complete, with statements from Malu, her family, and eyewitnesses recorded, and sufficient evidence collected. With no further need for custodial interrogation, Jaiswal maintained there is no necessity for Malu’s detention. The police have also returned the car and gathered all necessary samples from the accident site, thus justifying the appeal for anticipatory bail before the High Court.
