Nagpur: Upholding the District and Sessions Court’s judgment, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday denied anticipatory bail to Ritika alias Ritu Malu, accused of driving the Mercedes involved in a fatal crash on Ram Jhula that killed two people on February 25 this year. Malu had filed for anticipatory bail before the HC after District and Sessions Judge R.S. Bhosle (Patil) denied her pre-arrest bail.
It is pertinent to mention that in the early hours of February 25, Mohammad Hussain Gulam Mustafa (34), a resident of Mominpura, and Mohammad Atif (32), a resident of Jafar Nagar, were killed by a speeding Mercedes driven by Malu. Allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, Malu, accompanied by Madhuri Shishir Sarda (37), fled the scene but later surrendered and was subsequently arrested.
Initially, charges were filed under Section 304(a) of the IPC and Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, both of which are bailable offenses. Malu was subsequently 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. Upholding the same, the HC has also denied anticipatory bail to Malu.
