The Bombay High Court has dismissed a plea for the immediate release of Mihir Shah, the accused in the fatal BMW hit-and-run incident that occurred in Mumbai’s Worli area in July this year. Shah, the son of politician Rajesh Shah, had sought to be released from custody, arguing that his arrest was “illegal.”
Justice Bharati Dangre and Justice Manjusha Deshpande rejected the plea filed by Shah and his driver, Rajrishi Bindawat, stating that there was no merit in their argument that the police failed to follow due process during their arrests. The two men had claimed that they were not informed of the grounds for their arrest, as mandated under Section 50 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which requires the police to communicate the reasons for arrest at the time of detainment.
However, the court pointed out that Shah and Bindawat were apprehended after being “caught red-handed” in connection with the hit-and-run. The public prosecutor also emphasized that both the accused were fully aware of the charges against them, making the formal notification of grounds unnecessary in this case.
The incident that led to Shah’s arrest occurred on July 7, 2024, when he allegedly rammed his BMW into a bike in Worli, killing Kaveri Nakhwa and injuring her husband, Pradeep. In a horrifying turn, Nakhwa’s body became entangled with the car and was dragged for over 1.5 kilometers before the vehicle was halted. Shah’s driver, Bindawat, was arrested shortly after the crash, while Shah fled the scene, only to be apprehended several days later in Virar, a suburb located around 65 kilometers from Mumbai.
Shah, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, was taken into custody after a public outcry and a manhunt. In addition to Shah and Bindawat, at least ten other individuals, including Shah’s mother and two sisters, were arrested in connection with the case.
In their habeas corpus petitions filed in August, Shah and Bindawat had argued that their detention violated the procedural requirements set forth by law. However, the court found their claims unsubstantiated, rejecting their request for release.
The case has drawn significant attention, partly due to the political connections of Mihir Shah. His father, Rajesh Shah, was a member of the Shiv Sena faction led by outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Following the incident, Rajesh Shah was expelled from the party, further fueling public scrutiny.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who recently led his faction to a decisive victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, condemned the rise of hit-and-run incidents in the state. In a strong statement, Shinde vowed that no individual—regardless of their wealth, influence, or political connections—would be allowed to escape justice.
“The powerful and influential must not misuse their status to manipulate the system,” Shinde said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “As long as I am Chief Minister, there will be no immunity for anyone involved in such heinous acts. I have zero tolerance for injustice.”
The case continues to spark debate about the accountability of individuals with political connections and their ability to avoid legal repercussions. The court’s decision to reject Shah’s release serves as a reminder that justice will prevail, regardless of an individual’s social or political standing.
Sources By Agencies