BMW Hit and Run Case: Prime Accused Mihir Shah sent to 7 Day Police Custody

A Mumbai court on Wednesday sent Mihir Shah, the prime accused in the BMW hit-and-run case, to 7 days police custody till July 16. Shah, 24, was arrested by Mumbai police on Tuesday evening following a nearly 72-hour statewide manhunt.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate S P Bhosale of the Sewri court heard arguments from the Mumbai Police, who described the incident as a "cruel, heartless crime." The police pressed for Shah to remain in custody to investigate potential accomplices in his escape and the recovery of the car's missing number plate and also expressed the need to verify the 24-year-old’s driving license status.

In response, Shah's legal counsel informed the court that both Shah and his driver had already been extensively questioned by police, with their phones confiscated. The defense argued against the necessity of further custody, asserting that no grounds existed to justify it. However, the court ruled in favor of the police's request.

The accident occurred on Sunday morning, resulting in the death of Kaveri Nakhwa (45) and left her husband, Pradeep, injured. Mihir Shah allegedly fled the scene after his BMW collided with the couple’s motorcycle, dragging Kaveri Nakhwa for about 1.5 kilometers before halting. Shah reportedly fled the scene, leaving his car and driver behind in an auto rickshaw before seeking refuge at his girlfriend's residence in Goregaon.

Earlier today, the BMC demolished reportedly illegally built parts of the Vice Global Tapas Bar in Juhu, where Mihir Shah had reportedly consumed alcohol prior to the incident. This comes after the bar’s licence was suspended by Maharashtra’s excise department and the collector’s office sealed its premises. Mihir Shah's father, Rajesh Shah, a Shiv Sena leader from Palghar district, was removed from his party position by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Chief Minister has pledged stringent action in the case, offering Rs 10 lakh in aid to the victim's family and emphasizing justice for the tragedy. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray visited the family of the victims in Worli to offer condolences amidst public outcry over the incident.​