Nagpur Mercedes Crash: Accused Woman Driver Surrenders Before Police

A woman accused of killing two men while driving her Mercedes under the influence of alcohol more than four months ago in Nagpur, Maharashtra, has surrendered to the police, officials said.

Ritika alias Ritu Maloo walked into a city police station on July 1, where she was formally arrested in the evening after questioning.

Late last month, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court denied pre-arrest bail to Maloo, stating that no prudent person drives under the influence of alcohol and describing it as serious misconduct.

The incident occurred on Ram Jhula Bridge on February 25, when Maloo, allegedly driving recklessly under the influence of alcohol, crashed into two men on a scooter. Both riders, Mohd Hussain Gulam Mustafa and Mohd Ateef Mohd Zia, sustained fatal injuries in the crash.

Maloo was initially booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)  and the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) for rash and negligent driving and causing hurt by a rash act. Following public outcry and the severity of the crash, additional criminal charges were filed against her by the police.

Although Maloo was initially granted bail, the police later sought her re-arrest, leading her to apply to the High Court for pre-arrest bail. She will be produced in a local court today, according to the police.

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