A mother, grieving the loss of her son in a hit-and-run incident, took matters into her own hands to investigate after encountering alleged police neglect hindering the official probe. Despite facing setbacks from the system, she persevered to gather evidence and identify a suspect. Following the tragic road accident in Dehradun on February 16, 2024, where her 18-year-old son, Kshitij, was fatally struck by a dumper truck, the family was left distraught by both the incident and the lackluster police response.
Kshitij, a bright student preparing for a recruitment examination to join the Uttar Pradesh Police, tragically lost his life just before the test. Disheartened by the police’s slow response, Lalita Chowdhury, his mother, filed a case on February 19, 2024, only to face further disappointment when met with discourteous treatment from the investigating officer two days later.
Realizing the need to seek justice independently, Lalita embarked on a challenging journey, spending nights collecting CCTV footage and clues from the accident site and its vicinity. Through meticulous efforts, she identified around 10 vehicles of interest and eventually pinpointed a specific vehicle, sharing its details with the authorities. Despite her thorough work, the police failed to take decisive action, leaving the family disheartened.
In a distressing turn of events, the police unexpectedly closed the case in September 2025 without informing the family, citing a lack of leads. Lalita believes that had the police earnestly pursued the evidence she provided, the culprit could have been apprehended. Despite her persistent appeals to various police stations and officials, justice has remained elusive.
Attending a meeting in Dehradun led by farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, Lalita received assurance from Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Dobhal that Kshitij’s case would be reinvestigated. The family now waits to see if these promises will materialize into tangible actions or if they will once again be let down by the system.