BMW hit-and-run accused changed appearance to avoid arrest: Report
Mihir Shah, the main suspect in the hit-and-run case in Mumbai, shaved his beard to conceal his identity, India Today reported, citing sources. The 24-year-old son of Rajesh Shah, a Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader, was arrested at a resort in Virar on Tuesday after running over a woman with his father's BMW early Sunday. Eyewitnesses claim that Mihir had facial hair when he left a bar on Saturday night but was clean-shaven at the time of his arrest.
Shah admits to fatal hit-and-run, faces culpable homicide charges
Shah has confessed to driving the BMW that hit a scooter, causing the death of 45-year-old Kaveri Nakhwa. He admitted to being at the wheel when he struck the two-wheeler and dragged Nakhwa for nearly 1.5km before abandoning her body on the road. Shah claimed fear of repercussions led him to flee and hide at his girlfriend's residence in Goregaon.
Shah to appear in court, police seek custody for investigation
Following the crash, he also allegedly attempted to remove a Shiv Sena sticker and the car's number plate to avoid being linked to his father. The car was later found abandoned in Bandra Kalanagar, approximately 10km from the accident site. The police have registered a case of culpable homicide against him and his driver, who was present during the incident, is also under arrest. His mother Meena, sisters, and friend Avdeep are also being questioned.
Mihir sent to custody till July 16
Mihir has now been sent to police custody until July 16, while his father, who was arrested on Sunday, has been suspended by the Shiv Sena. The Sewree Court had granted him a provisional cash bail of ₹15,000 just a day after his arrest. The police suspect Rajesh and the diver, Rajrishi Bidawat, helped Mihir escape, as many phone calls were recorded between father and son in the aftermath of the collision.
Public outrage ignites, Maharashtra Chief Minister promises action
The incident has triggered public outrage, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde vowing to take strict action against those involved, regardless of their social status or political affiliations. In response to the incident, an illegally constructed section of Tapas Bar in Juhu that sold liquor to Mihir was demolished by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The bar had previously been sealed by Maharashtra's Excise Department for multiple violations, including serving hard drinks to individuals under 25 and operating beyond permissible hours.
