Jolly LLB In Nagpur: Ritika Maloo Says Madhuri Sarda Driving Car After 4 Months
-l-thumb.png)
Nagpur, India- In a court session in Nagpur, it was revealed that Ritika Maloo drank alcohol at two places in a club. After that, she drove her Mercedes very fast about 3.8 kilometers in less than 3 minutes. She then crashed into a scooter at Ram Jhula on February 25. This information was shared during a hearing where Maloo was seeking bail, and Government Pleader Devendra Chauhan argued against granting her bail.
Chauhan showed the court detailed video from security cameras. It demonstrated how Maloo's car travelled from a club to Ram Jhula bridge in just a few minutes. It was also mentioned that Maloo wrote a letter to the police, pointing out that her friend Madhuri Sarda was driving, not her.
High Court Hearing Reveals Timeline Leading to Fatal Ram Jhula Incident
Government Pleader Devendra Chauhan detailed the events leading to the tragic deaths at Ram Jhula on February 25 before the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court.
Chauhan detailed Ritika Maloo's movements after leaving a club, pinpointing key locations:
- GPO Square at 1:35 am
- Akashvani Chowk at 1:36:44 am
- RBI Square at 1:36:57 am
- Jaisthambh Chowk at 1:37:50 am, this is where she lost her balance off the road.
Chauhan presented evidence from CCTV cameras and club bills showing that Maloo consumed food and alcohol at two restaurants within the same club before taking a selfie with her friend, Madhuri Sarda. He stressed that this case violates the central government's strict viewpoint against drunk driving.
Chauhan pointed out that despite being granted bail protection from the session court and the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court, Maloo failed to cooperate with the police. Instead, she allegedly evaded authorities, claiming she was going to Rajasthan to care for her ill father but never provided any supporting documents.
Chauhan criticized Maloo for seeking treatment at a hospital far from the accident site instead of nearby Mayo Hospital, raising doubt on her actions.
According to forensic reports, alcohol in Maloo's blood was detected even after six hours of the incident. Chauhan also accused her of violating Section 134 by leaving the accident scene without aiding the victims or informing authorities.
Regarding the CCTV footage, Chauhan highlighted how Maloo navigated critical intersections, suggesting she was driving at speeds between 50 to 70 km/h.
Senior counsel Sunil Manohar, representing Maloo, countered that the police lacked permission or a court order to arrest her, noting a pending revision petition. He defended Maloo's actions, claiming she had cooperated adequately with law enforcement. On the contrary, she has barely helped ever since the incident happened.
When her bail was rejected by the Nagpur Bench High Court, an arrest warrant was been issued. It's been a month, and regardless of the "Look Out Notice" still absconding, and police officers are unble to locate her whereabouts.
Prosecution Challenges Maloo's Claim: Allegation Against Sarda Disputed
During the hearing of Ritika Maloo's anticipatory bail plea at the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, Government Pleader Devendra Chauhan presented evidence to Justice Urmila S Phalke-Joshi, denying Maloo's assertion that her friend Madhuri Sarda was driving during the Ram Jhula accident.
Ritika Maloo's inconsistent statements were the confusing ailments in this whole case, she was claiming that Madhuri Sarda was behind the wheel and not her, and when asked after two days in the signed-in letter to the police station. she also mentioned that Sarda was so intoxicated as she was unable to start the car. However, while taking the treatment, on the incident day, she said, her driver was behind the wheel.
Attempt to Mislead Authorities
Chauhan accused Maloo of attempting to mislead the police by blaming her friend for the accident. Despite being instructed by the court to cooperate with the authorities, Maloo's statements shifted. According to a club guard's testimony, Maloo was observed in the driver's seat.
