Nagpur: The persistent delay in the high-profile Ram Jhula accident case continues to draw attention. Seven days after the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, comprising Justice Vinay Joshi and Justice Vrushali V. Joshi, ordered the case to be transferred from Tehsil Police to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the case diary and related documents had yet to reach the CID office by Thursday evening. The court had directed that the case be transferred “forthwith.”
The Sessions Court, which is currently hearing an earlier plea filed by Nagpur Police seeking the cancellation of bail for the main accused, Ritika Maloo, requested the State CID to submit its response. However, the defence lawyer pressed for the dismissal of the bail plea, citing that the investigation had already been handed over to the CID.
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Thursday 06 Feb. 2025
Before the Sessions Court could rule on the police’s plea, the case was shifted to the State CID by the High Court. The court observed significant lapses in the Tehsil police’s investigation and stressed the need for an expedited probe. The court also directed that a senior officer of SP or ACP rank should oversee the investigation to ensure progress.
On Wednesday, the State CID requested the court for an additional two days to file its reply regarding the bail cancellation plea. The reason cited was the delay in receiving the case diary and documents from the Tehsil Police Station.
According to Senior Inspector Sandeep Buwa of Tehsil Police Station, his team had reached the CID office on Thursday, but the office was closed for the day. He explained that the formalities of handing over the case papers took time as they were awaiting instructions from the CID Headquarters in Pune regarding which unit would take charge of the documents.
Legal experts have expressed concern over the delay, suggesting that it could result in contempt of court. “The order clearly specified immediate transfer, not after seven days. The Tehsil police are on the verge of breaching contempt law,” said one expert, adding that such delays in handing over case papers during a pending court process should be avoided.
The State CID, assigned to investigate the Ram Jhula accident case, requested two days to respond to a plea for cancelling Ritika Maloo’s bail. They are awaiting the case diary from Tehsil police. The high court transferred the probe for a thorough and swift investigation, emphasizing weekly progress reviews by senior officers.
