In a major development in the infamous Ram Jhula hit-and-run case, Sessions Judge A A Ansari has ordered the State CID to conduct a fresh investigation against seven accused, including senior police officers, for allegedly helping destroy evidence and protect the main accused, Ritu alias Ritika Maloo.

 

The court’s order came after a criminal review petition filed by complainants Shahrukh Zia Mohammed, resident of Jafar Nagar, and Iftekhar Nisar Ahmed, resident of Hansapuri, through their lawyer Adv Amol Hunge. They alleged that the initial investigation into the February 25, 2024 incident was biased and shielded key persons involved. The accused named in the order are: Sandeep Vinayak Buwa, then Police Inspector, Tehsil Police Station; Parshuram Bhawad, Police Sub-Inspector, Tehsil Police Station; Madhuri Shishir Sarda, resident of Wardhaman Nagar, Lakadganj; Dinesh Bajrang Maloo, resident of Deshpande Layout, Nandanvan; Shishir Sarda, resident of Wardhaman Nagar, Lakadganj and two unidentified youths seen in viral videos from the night of the incident.

 

According to the petition, on the night of February 25, Ritu Maloo, allegedly drunk, drove a Mercedes car (MH-49/AS-6111) at high speed on Ram Jhula Bridge. She hit a two-wheeler and killed Mohammad Atif Gulam Umar (34) and severely injured Mohammad Husain Gulam Umar (32), who later died. Ritu’s friend Madhuri Sarda was also in the car. It is alleged that immediately after the crash, Dinesh Maloo and Shishir Sarda arrived, removed liquor bottles from the Mercedes and took the women away in another car. PSI Bhawad and PI Buwa are accused of allowing them to leave without collecting timely blood samples.

 

They also allegedly released the car without a forensic check or indemnity bond and facilitated the disappearance of evidence. The CID has already filed a chargesheet in the case. The fresh probe will now examine the alleged roles of the seven newly named accused in harbouring the offenders and destroying crucial evidence. Adv Amol Hunge represented the petitioner.