Mumbai: Mihir Shah – the 24-year-old suspect in a fatal Mumbai hit-and-run and son of a leader in Maharashtra’s ruling Shiv Sena – went to a bar in Juhu with four friends hours before he allegedly took the wheel of his BMW and crashed into a two-wheeler, Mumbai Police have said.
The group allegedly racked up a bill of approximately Rs 18,730 around 1 am on Sunday at Global Tapas Bar. Police suspect Mihir was driving under the influence at the time of the accident, which occurred in Worli around 5.45 am.
Mihir, the son of Palghar Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah, is currently on the run and a lookout circular has been issued against him by the police, reported Indian Express. His father and their driver were to be produced in court on Monday.
The victim of the accident has been identified as Kaveri Nakhwa, 45, a local fish-seller who was on her way to work with husband Pradeep Nakhwa when they were allegedly struck by the BMW.
While Pradeep was injured in the accident, Kaveri was dragged along on the bonnet for almost two kilometres before getting flung onto the road.
According to The Indian Express, the investigating officer has said that the police have found the bar bill and surveillance camera footage, and that these will aid the prosecution’s case. The officer said Mihir drove to Borivali to drop his friends off after leaving the bar.
The officer said that, since the accused has managed to escape, it will be difficult to prove that he was under the influence through blood samples. “But we will use other evidence that has been collected,” The Indian Express reported the police officer as saying.
News18 reported that Rajesh Shah was arrested on Sunday along with driver Rajrishi Rajendrasingh Bidawat, who was in the car at the time of the accident. Rajesh Shah is accused of helping his son escape, and allegedly made several attempts to destroy evidence.
The Indian Express reported that Mihir and his driver visited the Marine Drive, and, on their way back, the former took over driving and crashed into the Nakhwas’ motorcycle.
Police say the suspect allegedly used the Sea Link to get to Bandra. After reaching the Kalanagar area, the suspect left the driver and the car, and escaped.