Shiv Sena Leader’s Son, Mihir Shah, Goes Missing After Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/8th July 2024
Mihir Shah, the 24-year-old son of Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah, is the primary suspect in a tragic hit-and-run incident in Worli that resulted in the death of a 45-year-old woman. The accident also left her husband injured. A day after the accident, Mihir Shah has gone missing, prompting a search by six police teams.
The incident occurred when Shah’s speeding BMW collided with the couple’s bike as they were returning home from shopping at Navkha Bazaar. According to reports, Mihir Shah was heavily intoxicated at the time. He had been drinking in Juhu the previous night and, in his inebriated state, decided to drive the car himself after reaching Worli, taking over from his driver, Rajendra Singh Bijawat. The crash took place around 5:30 a.m.
Following the accident, Mihir allegedly attempted to dissociate the vehicle from his father by removing a Shiv Sena sticker and the number plate from the BMW. He then abandoned the car in Bandra Kalanagar and fled the scene.
Mihir Shah is known for his family’s involvement in the construction business in Palghar district. He studied up to the 10th grade before joining his father’s business. On the night of the incident, he reportedly tried to contact his father to explain the situation before switching off his phone. Police suspect that his girlfriend might be aiding him in hiding.
Rajesh Shah, Mihir’s father, is a prominent Shiv Sena leader in Palghar and is reportedly close to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Rajesh Shah wields considerable influence over various communities in Palghar, controlling the scrap business in the MIDC area and supplying construction materials. However, Mihir lives in their Borivali house and is not well-known in Palghar.
In response to the incident, the Worli police have arrested Rajesh Shah and the driver, Rajendra Singh Bijawat, for non-cooperation with the investigation. They are set to appear in court on Monday. The BMW involved in the accident, registered in Rajesh Shah’s name, has been confiscated from Bandra. Mihir Shah now faces serious charges, including reckless driving, involuntary manslaughter, endangering life, and violations of the Motor Vehicle Act.
The case has drawn comparisons to the high-profile Pune Porsche incident, where a 16-year-old, also intoxicated, caused a crash that injured two IT professionals. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of reckless and intoxicated driving, bringing to light the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and harsher penalties for such offenses.
The disappearance of Mihir Shah has added urgency to the investigation as authorities strive to locate and apprehend him. The tragic loss of life and the subsequent actions of the suspect underscore the severe consequences of drunk driving and the lengths to which individuals might go to evade responsibility.
The public and media attention on this case reflects broader concerns about road safety and the accountability of those in power. As the investigation continues, there is a strong call for justice for the victims and for measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
