The courtroom drama in the Ram Jhula hit-and-run accident case reached a crucial juncture as arguments concluded on Tuesday, leaving Sessions Judge S U Hake to reserve judgment. The court is slated to announce its decision on July 25, amidst a contentious debate over the arrest of the accused, Ritika alias Ritu Maloo. During the proceedings, the prosecution advocated for Ritu’s immediate arrest and cited the severity of the incident where Ritu Maloo allegedly caused the deaths of two youths on the Ram Jhula Bridge while driving a Mercedes at high speed.

 

In contrast, defense counsel Chandrasekhar Jaltare countered that the police’s pursuit of arrest was unlawful and pointed out a prior ruling by a First Class Magistrate Court that deemed the arrest illegal. APP Rashmi Khaparde presented arguments on behalf of the prosecution and pushed for the authorisation to arrest Ritu Maloo through two revision applications filed in the sessions court. Judge Hake listened attentively to both sides but refrained from making an immediate decision on Tuesday, opting instead to reserve the case for judgment on Thursday.