Mihir Shah, the main accused in the Mumbai BMW hit-and-run case, has been remanded to police custody until July 16. Shah, who had been evading arrest for over 72 hours, was apprehended on Tuesday evening.
Shah, the son of suspended Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah, admitted to driving the luxury sedan that collided with a two-wheeler in Worli at 5:30 am on Sunday, resulting in the death of 45-year-old Kaveri Nakhwa and injuring her husband. However, the 24-year-old denied being under the influence of alcohol at the time.
#WATCH | Worli hit-and-run case accused Mihir Shah brought to Sewri court in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/krpVLAoEd8
— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2024
Police Seek Maximum Custody
The police sought “maximum possible custody” of Mihir Shah, citing his attempts to destroy evidence and evade arrest by altering his appearance. Sources revealed that Shah exchanged multiple phone calls with his father and partner after the accident to plan his escape. His escape included taking an auto-rickshaw to his partner’s home in Goregaon, spending two hours there, and then moving to an apartment in Virar, where he was ultimately arrested. A friend’s mobile phone played a crucial role in tracking him down after Shah and his family switched off their phones.
Authorities believe Shah received assistance from his mother and two sisters, both of whom have also been arrested. Shah’s partner may also be summoned for questioning and could face detention. The police argued in court that they need custody of Shah to determine how he evaded arrest for over 72 hours and to identify all those who assisted him, including family members.
Investigation and Legal Defense
The police stated that Shah attempted to mislead them by cutting his hair short and trimming his beard. They emphasized the serious nature of the crime and the allegations against Shah, including the missing number plate of the BMW, which was reportedly discarded after the collision. Shah’s lawyers countered by highlighting that the police already have substantial evidence, including matching statements from Shah and the family driver, as well as video footage.
Rajrishi Bidawat, the driver, was in the car at the time of the collision and had been instructed by Rajesh Shah to hand control of the car to Mihir Shah 90 minutes before the crash. After the crash, the two men switched seats, and Bidawat ran over the woman’s body a second time before they drove to Kalanagar to abandon the vehicle.
Bar Involvement and Victim’s Family
The collision, reminiscent of the Pune Porsche crash involving a minor, occurred after Shah spent nearly ₹20,000 at the Vice-Global Tapas Bar in Mumbai’s Juhu. The bar was sealed, and sections were demolished as it was found to have supplied alcohol to the underage Shah without a valid permit.
The victim, Kaveri Nakhwa, was traveling with her husband when the BMW lost control and hit their two-wheeler. Horrific details have emerged, including CCTV footage showing Nakhwa being dragged for 1.5 km before the BMW stopped. Her husband, Pradip Nakhwa, expressed his grief and shock over his wife’s death, stating that Shah did not stop the car despite his cries for help.
The Maharashtra government has offered Pradip Nakhwa ₹10 lakh as compensation for the loss of his wife.
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