Rajesh Shah, a prominent Shiv Sena leader, has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody by a Mumbai court in connection with a tragic hit-and-run incident involving a BMW car that claimed the life of a 45-year-old woman in Worli. The incident occurred early Sunday morning when Kaveri Nakhwa, riding a scooter with her husband Pradeep, was struck by a speeding BMW allegedly driven by Shah’s son, Mihir Shah, who remains at large.
Rajesh Shah was able to secure bail with a provisional cash amount of Rs 15,000, confirmed by his advocate Sudhir Bhardwaj. The main accused, Mihir Shah, fled the scene after the accident, leaving behind the vehicle and his driver, Rajendra Singh Bidawat, who was subsequently arrested for allegedly aiding Mihir’s escape. Bidawat has been placed in police custody for one day.
In response to the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasized that the law would be impartially enforced, asserting that no one would be shielded from justice. Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray, representing the Worli constituency where the incident occurred, assured swift police action to locate and apprehend Mihir Shah.
The case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 105 for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Police suspect that Mihir Shah may have been intoxicated at the time of the accident, further complicating the legal proceedings.
This incident in Worli draws parallels to a recent high-profile hit-and-run case in Pune earlier this year, where a minor driving a luxury car under the influence of alcohol resulted in the deaths of two young engineers. The police have mobilized six teams to track down Mihir Shah, utilizing a Look Out Circular to prevent his escape and ensure swift justice in the case.