In another tragic hit-and-run case in Maharashtra, a couple was knocked down by a speeding BMW in Mumbai's Worli, killing the woman. The speeding car is said to have being driven by son of Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader Rajesh Shah, who has been detained by the police after his 24-year-old son absconded after the incident.
The Mumbai Police is currently trying to locate the accused Mihir Shah, while his father and driver have been arrested after being questioned. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray paid a visit to the victim's husband and promised him justice.
According to India Today's report, the accused, after fleeing the incident spot, took refuge at his girlfriend's home. The police also questioned her for hiding him at her place.
Here's what has happened so far:
- A couple belonging to the fishing community was returning from a fish auction on Sunday morning, after buying fish from Sassoon Dock.
- It was then that the fish sellers Kaveri and Pradik Nakva were hit by a speeding BMW from behind, flinging them on the car's bonnet.
- The couple had crossed Atria Mall in Mumbai's Worli, when they were hit.
- While Pradik Nakwa managed to jump off the car, his wife could not, and was reportedly dragged for over 100 metres, as the accused tried to flee the spot in a hurry.
- The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but she was declared brought dead.
- The car was being driven by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Deputy in Palgarh district, Rajesh Shah's son, who was reportedly drunk at the time of the incident.
- Shah had been detained by the Mumbai police for questioning, but is now under arrest. Besides him, the driver who was also present in the car has been arrested.
- The accused son remains at large, while the police has formed six teams to locate and nab him.
- Police said that he took refuge at his girlfriend's home after he fleed from the spot in a rickshaw, abandoning the car. He took a rickshaw to Borivalli.
- The BWM driver, Rajrishi Bidawat, who was also present in the car at the time of the incident, was also detained earlier for questioning.
- Earlier today, Mumbai police confiscated the car involved in the hit-and-run and also conducted searched the vehicle.
- "Today around 7 am, two persons were travelling towards Worli-Koliwada on their scooty. A BMW car hit their scooty from behind. Worli Police were informed and reached immediately on the location. After the police reached the spot, they took the woman to the hospital where she was declared dead on arrival. A case was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the investigation is underway," DCP Zone III Krishnakant Upadhyay said.
- The DCP also said that accused person's father Rajesh Shah in custody at Worli police station along with Rajendra Singh, who was also present in the car. "The police do not have any information about Mihir yet," he added.
- Shinde addressed the media after the Worli hit-and-run case and called it a "very unfortunate" incident.
- "Mumbai’s hit and run incident is unfortunate. I spoke to the police about it and persons involved in it will be treated equally. No one will be spared and strict legal action will be taken," the Maharashtra CM said.
- According to a report by NDTV, the accused was drinking till late last night and had asked his driver to take him on a "long drive". He then insisted his driver to let him him drive at Worli, where the accident took place.
- Following the crash, the number plate of the car was removed and kept inside the car, to prevent the car from being identified.
- Aditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, met the victim's husband, who is currently receiving treatment at a hospital after being injured.
- The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also met the police officers who are investigating the matter.
- After the visit, Thackeray posted on X: "Visited the Worli Police Station today and met with senior police officers investigating into the hit and run case that occurred in Worli today. I will not go into the political leanings of Mr Shah, the accused of the hit and run, but I hope the police will act swiftly to catch the accused and bring him to justice. Hopefully there will be no political refuge by the regime."
- Talking about his meeting with the victim's husband, he said: "MLC Sunil Shinde ji and I also met Mr Nakwa, the husband of the victim and promised him that we will do everything to bring the accused to justice."
- After the incident was brough to light, Thackeray had also posted on X, speaking about the surge in hit-and-run cases and stressed the importance of preventing them from happening.
"Driving cars in the wrong direction, jumping signals, tripling... everything is increasing in Mumbai! Now things like hit and run have started happening! Even if the person who caused the accident is arrested immediately, it is necessary not to allow such incidents to happen. For that, we have to go beyond politics and improve this situation! Drivers will be disciplined and offenders will be severely punished!" he wrote.