Mihir Shah, a 24-year-old accused in the Mumbai BMW hit-and-run case, altered his appearance to evade the police, the prosecution informed a court on Wednesday. Shah was subsequently remanded to police custody until July 16.
The prosecution described Shah’s crime as cruel and heartless, and they expressed the need to uncover who assisted him in avoiding arrest for two days.
Shah was apprehended on Tuesday, two days after his BMW collided with a scooter, resulting in the death of 45-year-old Kaveri Nakhwa.
Court Proceedings: Mihir Shah’s Arrest
During the court session, the prosecution highlighted inconsistencies between the statements of Mihir Shah and his driver, Raj Bidawat, who is also accused in the case. The police noted that the car’s number plate, allegedly discarded by Shah, remains missing.
Authorities stated that Shah shaved his beard and cut his hair to avoid detection. They emphasized the importance of identifying those who helped him alter his appearance. Additionally, the police accused Shah of non-cooperation and providing misleading information during the investigation.
Shah’s defense lawyers, Ayush Pasbola and Sudhir Bhardwaj, argued that the number plate might have fallen off during the accident.
Shah’s father, Rajesh Shah, a Shiv Sena leader, was arrested for aiding his son but has since been released on bail. The driver remains in police custody until July 11.
Eknath Shinde’s Response
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde responded to the incident by removing Rajesh Shah from his position as deputy leader of the Shiv Sena. This decision came after Pradeep Nakhwa, the victim’s husband, expressed doubt that the Shiv Sena would take action against the accused, given his father’s political status.
Shinde assured that the guilty parties would face strict consequences and affirmed the government’s support for the victim’s family, pledging both legal and financial assistance. He announced a grant of ₹10 lakh from the CM’s Relief Fund for the family, emphasizing their shared grief.
