A mother grieving the loss of her son took matters into her own hands to investigate a hit-and-run incident that tragically ended her son’s life, as she felt the police were not proactive in their official inquiry. Despite encountering obstacles, she meticulously gathered evidence and identified a potential suspect. However, she faced disappointment once again when the system failed to provide the justice she sought.
Lalita Chowdhury lost her 18-year-old son, Kshitij, in a tragic road accident in Dehradun on February 16, 2024. Kshitij, a dedicated student on the path to graduation, was fatally struck by a dumper truck while crossing the road. The incident occurred just before he was scheduled to take an exam to join the Uttar Pradesh Police, compounding the family’s grief with the lackluster response from the authorities.
Survived by his mother and sister, a case was officially filed on February 19, 2024, but Lalita criticized the slow response from the police. She recounted an incident on February 21 where the investigating officer displayed rudeness when she questioned the delay in the investigation process.
Realizing that she needed to seek justice for her son, Lalita embarked on a challenging journey. Over the course of nearly two months, she tirelessly gathered CCTV footage from the accident site and its vicinity, meticulously piecing together crucial information about the tragic event.
Through her diligent efforts, Lalita identified around 10 vehicles potentially linked to the case, eventually narrowing down the focus to one vehicle. Despite her significant contributions, the police failed to take substantial action, leaving the family in a state of distress.
In a surprising turn of events, the police reportedly closed the case in September 2025 without informing the family, citing a lack of leads as the reason. Lalita argued that if the police had pursued the evidence she provided more seriously, the culprit could have been apprehended. Unwavering in her pursuit of justice, Lalita has persistently sought assistance from various police stations and higher-ranking officials to no avail.
Recently, Lalita attended a meeting in Dehradun led by farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, where Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Dobhal assured her that the investigation into Kshitij’s death would be revisited. The family now awaits to see if these promises will translate into tangible action or if they will be disappointed by the system once more.