Mumbai BMW hit-and-run case: Shiv Sena removes Rajesh Shah from post; part of bar visited by Mihir bulldozed - 5 updates

Mumbai hit-and-run case: Shiv Sena on Wednesday removed Rajesh Shah, the father of Worli hit-and-run case accused Mihir Shah, from the post of deputy leader of the party.

“Rajesh Shah was relieved from the post of the party's deputy leader”, read a one-line notice by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's secretary Sanjay More.

Shah, however, continues to be a member of the Shiv Sena.

The development comes less than 24 hours after the arrest of his son, Mihir Shah, who was absconding for over 48 hours after the accident on Sunday morning.

Following the accident, Mumbai police had arrested Rajesh Shah on Sunday. However, the court released him on bail the very next day.

What happened on Sunday?

When Kaveri Nakhwa and her husband Pradeep were returning from Mazgoan Dock, a BMW car driven by Mihir Shah allegedly rammed into their two-wheeler in the Worli area on July 7. Kaveri Nakhwa was also dragged for around 100 metres on the car's bonnet before getting flunged.  Later, Mihir swapped the seat with the driver. While reversing the car, driver Rajrishi Singh Bidawat ran over the victim before fleeing .

Later, she was rushed to the hospital. However, doctors declared her dead. Pradeep Nakhwa survived with injuries.

Part of bar demolished

An unauthorised alteration made to Juhu's Vice-Global Tapas Bar, which the accused visited hours before the accident, was demolished by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday.

The BMC's K-West ward office team reached the Vice-Global Tapas Bar this morning and started demolishing some of the additional alterations made inside the establishment, reported PTI quoting civic officials.

The state Excise Department on Tuesday already sealed the Juhu bar where Mihir Shah partied.

Clean shave to hide identity: Report

According to an India Today report, Mihir Shah reportedly shaved his beard to hide his identity while on the run.

Efforts to save accused: Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut alleged that efforts were underway to save the accused.

“Efforts are being made by the government to save the accused. This is not an ordinary case of hit-and-run; it is a similar case to what happened in Pune,” Raut told ANI.

Govt must ensure accused faces justice: NCP-SP

NCP-SCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto has urged the Maharashtra government to ensure that Mihir Shah is not given leniency or evades punishment.

“We have seen before in the Pune hit-and-run case that leniency was given to the accused because he had political connections. The Bhartiya Janata Party-led Maharashtra government must now make sure that just because the culprit is affiliated to the Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, he should not be given leniency and goes free,” ANI quoted Clyde Crasto.

Treat case as murder: Aaditya Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, who represents the Worli assembly constituency where the incident took place, has demanded that the hit-and-run case be treated as murder.

“This case should not be treated as a hit-and-run incident. This is a case of murder, and we demand that it should be treated like that,” Thackeray said.

Aaditya Thackeray alleged negligence by the police in arresting Mihir Shah. “Where was Mihir Shah hiding for 60 hours? The chief minister must answer,” he said.