Ram Jhula Hit-&-Run Case Transferred To New Judge After 10 Adjournments

Nagpur: The high-profile Ram Jhula hit-and-run case in which two youngsters were mowed down on the bridge in Feb 2024, has been shifted to a new judge after at least 10 adjournments at the charge-framing stage, and the next hearing scheduled after 100 days by the present court, said a top source. The victims' kin had expressed anguish after the next hearing was deferred to Sept 2 with the prosecution trying to prepone the hearing, it's learnt.The tragic incident occurred on Feb 25, 2024, when a speeding Mercedes allegedly driven by Ritika Maloo in an inebriated state rammed a two-wheeler on Ram Jhula bridge. The victims, Mohammad Atif and Mohammad Hussain Gulam Mustafa, both in their early thirties, died in the crash.Hussain, a software engineer and the sole breadwinner of his family, was killed on the spot, while Atif succumbed to injuries hours later. Forensic reports confirmed alcohol in the driver's blood sample.Despite the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court directing a fast-track probe and transfer of investigations to the State CID, the trial was plagued by inordinate delays. The case remained stuck at the charge-framing stage for the past seven to eight months, with the court granting more than 10 adjournments, citing the pendency list.Families of the deceased have been vocal about their grievances, repeatedly approaching the principal district judge and the high court registrar for transfer of the case to a less burdened court. Their persistent efforts finally yielded results, as the case has now been reassigned with a hope to expedite proceedings.The victims' kin, particularly Atif's elder brother Atik, have expressed shock over the prolonged wait for justice. The pain was compounded when Hussain's father, Ghulam Mustafa, passed away in March this year, unable to bear the trauma of the delay. "We are getting long dates. Can anyone understand our pain," Atik said in media interviews. The prosecution is now set to request the new court for a day-to-day hearing and pretrial proceedings to prevent further delays.Legal experts point out that repeated adjournments not only deny timely justice to the victims' families but also erode public faith in the judicial system. The case has highlighted the larger issue of ‘tareekh pe tareekh' culture in overburdened courts, despite clear directives from the high court for a fast-track trial. The families, who belong to economically weaker sections, have been running from pillar to post seeking justice.