Mumbai Police suspect that Mihir Shah, who was driving the BMW car that hit a woman in the city's Worli area, was drunk at the time of the accident as he was seen at a bar in Juhu hours before the incident, officials said on Monday (July 8). Police said they are analysing CCTV footage of the bar.
Mihir Shah was drunk at the time of the accident!
According to the police, the accident occurred when Kaveri Nakhwa (45), a resident of Worli Koliwada, was travelling with her husband Pradeep on Dr Annie Besant Road around 5.30 am on Sunday when a luxury car, allegedly driven by Mihir Shah, hit the couple's two-wheeler. The car dragged the woman for over 2 km, a police official said.
The accused is the son of a Shiv Sena leader from neighbouring Palghar district. After the accident, he fled towards the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and abandoned the car and its driver Rajarshi Bidawat, who was sitting next to him, near Kala Nagar in Bandra area, police said.
What did the police say?
Mihir's father Rajesh Shah, a Shiv Sena leader, and Bidawat were arrested by the Worli police on Sunday for allegedly helping Mihir escape after the accident, the official said.
The officials said “The police suspect that Mihir was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident as he was seen at a bar in Juhu area a few hours before the incident. The police have also received a bar bill of Rs 18,000 and they are verifying it. The CCTV footage of the bar is also being examined. He said, “Since there was a possibility of Mihir Shah fleeing the country, Mumbai Police issued a LOC against him on Sunday evening.” He said that the police have started searching for the accused and six teams have been formed to catch him.
According to the police, the accused have been booked under various sections, including Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Eknath Shinde on the incident
Speaking about the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Sunday said that the law is equal for all and no one will be spared. When asked if the person involved in the accident was the son of a Shiv Sena leader, the CM said, “The law is equal for everyone and the government treats every case in the same way. There will be no separate rule for this accident. Everything will be done as per the law.”
He said, “Police will not protect anyone. Mumbai accident is unfortunate. I have spoken to the police department to take strict action.” CM Shinde tweeted
Speaking on X, CM Shinde gave a strong message to the people regarding hit-and-run incidents and said it was “intolerable that powerful and influential people misuse their position to manipulate the system”, and added that such things would not be tolerated by his government.
He tweeted, “I am deeply concerned by the rise in hit-and-run incidents in Maharashtra. It is intolerable that powerful and influential people misuse their position to manipulate the system. Such failure of justice will not be tolerated by my government. The lives of common citizens are precious to us. I have directed the state police department to handle these cases with utmost seriousness and ensure justice is delivered.”
Besides, we are implementing strict laws and harsh penalties for hit-and-run offenders. As long as I am the chief minister of the state, no person, whether rich, influential, or children of bureaucrats or ministers, or affiliated to any party, will be spared. I have zero tolerance towards injustice. Let me make it clear: my administration stands firmly with the victims and their families. We are committed to building a safe Maharashtra for all our citizens.”
I am deeply alarmed by the rise in hit-and-run incidents in Maharashtra. It is intolerable that the powerful and influential misuse their status to manipulate the system. Such miscarriages of justice will not be tolerated by my Government.
The lives of ordinary citizens are…
— Eknath Shinde (@mieknathshinde) July 8, 2024
