Mumbai hit-and-run case: Mihir Shah sent to police custody; Rajesh Shah removed as Shiv Sena deputy leader

The Sewri Court in Mumbai on Wednesday (July 10) sent BMW hit-and-run accused Mihir Shah to police custody till July 16. This comes a day afterthe personaccompanying him turned on his cell phone, Mihir Shah, 24, of Virar, was taken into custody by the Crime Branch.

Mihir Shah's father Rajesh Shah removed as Shiv Sena deputy leader

Mihir's father, Rajesh Shah, had been dismissed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde from his position as deputy leader of the Shiv Sena's Palghar unit.

The now-former Shiv Sena leader's family members, including his mother and sisters, fled the scene of the Sunday BMW hit-and-run due to fear of being attacked by the mob and subjected to interrogation, said the Mumbai police who are investigating the case, on Wednesday.

According to investigators,Mihir Shah shaved off his beard to hide his identity and avoid getting caught.

According to the Mumbai police, Mihir, who had been on the run after hitting and killing a 45-year-old woman in Worli on Sunday, initially hid at his girlfriend’s house in Goregaon. From there, his elder sister picked him up and dropped him near Thane.

Afterwards, the main accused, his sisters, and his mother stayed in various hotels in Thane, near Nashik, and in Murbad.

Hours before the BMW hit-and-run incident, Mihir Shah was at a bar in Mumbai's Juhu area with some friends, where he is believed to have consumed alcohol.

“We have learnt that it was at around 3.30 AM that Mihir and his driver left for Marine Drive. While returning, he insisted on driving and subsequently rammed into the two-wheeler on Dr Annie Basant Road in Worli,” said an officer.

Kaveri Nakhwa, who was riding a two-wheeler with her husband, was dragged for over one and a half kilometres after becoming trapped between the bumper and tyre of a vehicle before being flung onto the road.

According to the police, Mihir switched seats with Bidawat and later contacted his father. Rajesh Shah allegedly advised his son to flee and instructed Bidawat to take responsibility for the accident.

After being arrested for aiding Mihir's escape, Rajesh Shah was released on bail on Monday, while Bidawat was remanded in police custody until July 11.

BMC cracks down on unapproved changes at Juhu bar linked to BMW hit-and-run case

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished unauthorised modifications at Vice-Global Tapas Bar in Juhu, a venuevisited by the prime suspect in the BMW hit-and-run case shortly before the fatal crash.

Thedemolition, which took place after a notice was sent to the bar, came after officials said detailed measurements were taken during aninspection of the establishment.

(With inputs from agencies)