A Mumbai court has granted police custody of Mihir Shah, the accused in the BMW hit-and-run case and son of a Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) politician, for seven days until July 16. Shah was apprehended by Mumbai Police yesterday evening following a nearly 72-hour statewide manhunt. During the court session, the Mumbai Police informed Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (Sewri court) S P Bhosale that the crime committed was described as “cruel and heartless”. They emphasized the necessity for maximum custody to investigate who aided Shah’s escape and to locate the missing car number plate. Furthermore, the police expressed the need to determine if the accused possessed a valid driving license and the whereabouts of the car’s number plate, which Shah allegedly discarded after the incident.
Mihir’s attorney informed the court that both Mihir and the driver had been interrogated by the police and their phones had been seized. The lawyer argued that the police had no basis for seeking Mihir’s custody, but the court rejected the claim.
Mihir, 24, who had been evading the police since the accident on Sunday morning, was apprehended from Virar near Mumbai on July 9.
The luxury car driven by Mihir Shah reportedly collided with a two-wheeler from behind in the Worli area of south-central Mumbai on Sunday morning, resulting in the death of Kaveri Nakhwa (45), who was riding pillion, while her husband Pradeep survived with injuries.
Following the incident, Mihir fled from the Kala Nagar area, leaving his car and driver behind in an auto rickshaw, and went to his girlfriend’s residence in suburban Goregaon, according to the police.
The police also stated that after partying with friends at a bar in the Juhu area, Mihir Shah left with his driver for South Mumbai in the early hours.
He was seen in the Marine Drive area around 4.30 am, driving the BMW car, with driver Rajrushi Bidawat sitting next to him.
As the vehicle reached Worli, the car hit the two-wheeler, resulting in the death of Kaveri Nakhwa.
Meanwhile, Mihir’s father, Rajesh Shah, who was a Shinde Sena leader from the adjoining Palghar district, was dismissed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde earlier in the day.
A brief notice by Shiv Sena secretary Sanjay More stated that Rajesh Shah has been relieved from the post of the party’s deputy leader.
The Chief Minister assured strict action against the guilty in the BMW case and announced Rs 10 lakh aid for the victim’s family. He said there was no question of supporting anyone and no one would be spared.
“Whoever is guilty will not be spared; strict action will be taken against them,” Shinde said while speaking to reporters in Mumbai.
“We stand by the family of the victim. We will provide legal and financial support to the aggrieved family. We will give them Rs 10 lakh from the CM’s Relief Fund.” They are from our family,” he said.