Nagpur: In a significant turn of events in the Ram Jhula hit-and-run case, the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Archana Khedkar-Garad, granted bail to prime accused Ritika Maloo on Tuesday. The decision came after the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) failed to file a chargesheet within the statutory 60-day period following her arrest.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of February 25, involved Ritika Maloo’s Mercedes colliding with an Activa scooter, resulting in the deaths of two young men, Mohd Hussain Gulam Mustafa and Mohd Ateef Mohd Zia. Allegedly under the influence of alcohol, Maloo faced charges under Sections 304(A), 201, and 427 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with Sections 184 and 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act. During the investigation, Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC was added.

Initially investigated by the Tehsil Police, the case was later handed over to the State CID on the orders of the High Court. Maloo was rearrested on the night of September 25-26 and placed in police custody. Upon completion of her remand, she was sent to Nagpur Central Jail under magisterial custody.

On Tuesday, her defense counsel, Advocate Chandrashekhar Jaltare, filed for bail on the grounds that the prosecution failed to submit a chargesheet within the mandatory 60-day period, as stipulated under Section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Jaltare argued that since Section 304 of the IPC, under which Maloo was charged, carries a maximum punishment of 10 years, the 60-day limit for filing the chargesheet applied, entitling the accused to default bail.

Opposing the plea, Additional Public Prosecutor Megha Burunge, assisted by Advocate Amol Hunge, argued that the 90-day period should apply, given the severity of the offence. They emphasized that Maloo should not be granted bail on what they termed a technicality.

After examining the arguments, the court observed that the case fell under the second part of Section 304 of the IPC, which pertains to acts done with knowledge that death could result, but without intent to cause it. Since investigators could not establish intent on Maloo’s part, the court ruled that the 60-day period for filing the chargesheet was applicable.

Consequently, the JMFC court granted bail to Ritika Maloo, marking a crucial development in the high-profile case.