'Deeply Alarmed, No Rich Or Influential Will Have Immunity': CM Eknath Shinde On Mumbai Hit-And-Run Case

The accused, Mihir Shah, has been identified as the son of ruling Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah, after which the Sena leader and the car driver have been arrested.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday said he is deeply alarmed by the rise in hit-and-run cases in the state and added that he has ordered the police department to handle such cases with utmost seriousness and ensure justice. 

He said it is intolerable that the powerful and influential misuse their status to manipulate the system and such miscarriages of justice will not be tolerated.

The CM's remark comes a day after a 24-year-old riding a BMW crashed into a scooter, killing a woman and injuring her husband. The accused, Mihir Shah, has been identified as the son of ruling Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah, after which the Sena leader and the car driver have been arrested.

"I am deeply alarmed by the rise in hit-and-run incidents in Maharashtra. It is intolerable that the powerful and influential misuse their status to manipulate the system. Such miscarriages of justice will not be tolerated by my Government," Eknath Shinde said in a post on X.

"The lives of ordinary citizens are precious to us. I have directed the State Police department to handle these cases with the utmost seriousness and ensure justice is served. In addition, we are implementing stricter laws and harsher penalties for hit-and-run offenders," he added.

Calling for zero tolerance for injustice, Shinde said no one, whether rich, influential, or offspring of bureaucrats or ministers will have immunity as long as he is the the Chief Minister.

He added that his administration stands firmly with the victims and their families and is committed to creating a safer Maharashtra for everyone.
 
A Look Out Circular (LOC) has also been put out against Mihir Shah. Mihir was allegedly driving the BMW car which fatally knocked down 45-year-old Kaveri Nakhwa and injured her husband Pradeep while the couple was on their two-wheeler in Mumbai’s Worli area Sunday morning.

The car dragged the woman for more than 2 km. She was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

After the accident, Mihir fled towards the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, leaving the car and his driver Rajrishi Bidawat, who was sitting next to him, at Kalanagar in Bandra.