On July 7, a tragic hit-and-run incident occurred on Annie Besant Road in Worli, Mumbai, involving a BMW that struck a couple on a scooter. The accident resulted in the death of a woman named Kaveri Nakhwa, who was dragged for nearly 1.5 kilometers by the scooter, and left her husband Pradip with injuries. Mihir Shah, aged 24, was allegedly driving the BMW when the accident took place. He was arrested on July 9 and has been placed in 14-day judicial custody as of today.
Mihir Shah is the son of Rajesh Shah, a Shiv Sena leader affiliated with the Eknath Shinde camp. Rajesh Shah was also arrested by the Worli police but was released on bail the following day.
During the accident, Mihir's driver, Rajrishi Bidawat, was reportedly in the passenger seat. After the crash, Bidawat is said to have swapped seats with Mihir on the instructions of Rajesh Shah. Mihir attempted to evade the police by shaving his beard but was apprehended at a resort in Virar, near Mumbai.
Police sources indicated that Mihir was under the influence of alcohol during the accident. He had reportedly been partying with friends at a bar in Juhu before the incident. After driving his friends home in a Mercedes, he took the BMW for a "joy ride" along Marine Drive. Near Haji Ali, he allegedly switched seats with his driver before the fatal crash.
The police have charged Mihir with culpable homicide. His driver has also been arrested and placed in 14-day judicial custody as of July 11. Rajesh Shah, who was arrested on July 7 in connection with the case and whose name the BMW was registered under, was granted bail on July 8.
