The Bombay High Court has pulled up the Mumbai Police for their โlackadaisical approachโ in investigating a three-year-old hit-and-run case, observing that the authorities had fallen short of the standards expected by citizens.
A bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad, in its September 3 order, said the probe had been โgrossly callousโ and only gathered pace after the court intervened. The case concerns the death of a 20-year-old man, who was fatally struck by a speeding truck while riding his scooter in Malad on August 17, 2022.
The victimโs mother had approached the High Court alleging inaction on the part of the police, stating that neither the truck nor the driver had been traced. In October 2023, the police filed an โA Summaryโ reportโindicating they were unable to identify the accusedโbefore a local court.
However, following the High Courtโs intervention, the police reopened the case and arrested the driver last month. A chargesheet has since been filed. The bench noted that this progress came only after the court โcautioned the police of possible consequences.โ
โThe lackadaisical approach adopted over the last several years is seriously depreciable,โ the court said, stressing that the investigation officerโs conduct was โshocking and deserves condemnation.โ The bench directed the Director General of Police to initiate a departmental inquiry against the officer concerned for dereliction of duty and faulty investigation.
The High Court further ordered that the trial be expedited and concluded within a year, underlining the need for accountability in cases where justice has already been delayed.
