A Mumbai court has remanded Mihir Shah, the accused in the BMW hit-and-run case and son of a Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) politician, to police custody for seven days until July 16. Shah was apprehended by Mumbai Police on Tuesday evening after a nearly 72-hour statewide manhunt.
During the hearing, the Mumbai Police described the incident as a "cruel, heartless crime" and argued for maximum custody to investigate who aided Shah in evading capture. They also highlighted the need to recover the car's missing number plate and determine if Shah possessed a driving license.
Shah's defense claimed that both he and the driver had already been questioned, and their phones confiscated, arguing there were no grounds for further custody. However, the court dismissed this argument and granted the police's request for extended custody.
The 24-year-old Mihir Shah managed to evade the police since the accident on Sunday morning but was eventually arrested in Virar near Mumbai on July 9. The incident involved Shah's luxury car allegedly rear-ending a two-wheeler in Worli, south-central Mumbai, resulting in the death of Kaveri Nakhwa (45) and injuring her husband, Pradeep.
Following the collision, Shah reportedly fled the scene, leaving his car and driver behind. He then took an auto rickshaw to his girlfriend's residence in suburban Goregaon. Police reports indicate that Shah had been partying with friends in Juhu earlier that night and left for South Mumbai in the early hours with his driver, Rajrushi Bidawat. The car was seen in the Marine Drive area around 4:30 am before the fatal accident occurred in Worli.
In response to the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde dismissed Mihir's father, Rajesh Shah, from his position as deputy leader of the Shinde Sena. A statement from Shiv Sena secretary Sanjay More confirmed the removal.
Chief Minister Shinde assured the public that strict action would be taken against those responsible and announced a financial aid package of Rs 10 lakh for the victim’s family. "Whoever is guilty will not be spared; strict action will be taken against them," Shinde stated, emphasizing the government's support for the victim's family both legally and financially.