Mumbai, July 8, 2024 — A tragic accident in Mumbai’s Worli area this morning has left a woman dead and her husband injured after their scooter was hit by a speeding BMW. The vehicle was allegedly driven by Mihir Shah, the 24-year-old son of Rajesh Shah, a senior leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Mumbai police have stated that Mihir Shah is currently on the run and is suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
The accident occurred around 5:30 AM when the BMW, driven by Mihir Shah, collided with a scooter carrying Kaveri Nakva, 40, and her husband, Pradik Nakva, 42. The couple, fish sellers from Worli’s Koliwada area, were returning from Sassoon Dock when the crash happened. Witnesses reported that the impact was so severe that the couple was thrown into the air, landing on the bonnet of the luxury car. Despite the collision, the BMW continued to speed away, running over Kaveri Nakva, who was later declared dead at a nearby hospital. Her husband sustained minor injuries.
According to police sources, Mihir Shah had been drinking at a bar in Juhu the previous night. On his way home, he asked his driver, Rajendra Singh Bijawat, to take him for a long drive. The car reached Worli, where Mihir insisted on taking the wheel. Shortly after, the fatal accident occurred.
The BMW, registered in Mihir Shah’s name, had its windshield scratched to remove a Shiv Sena sticker, likely in an attempt to hide its connection to the Shah family. One of the vehicle’s number plates was also removed post-accident. Despite these efforts, police were able to identify the car through CCTV footage from the area.
Mihir Shah called his father immediately after the crash and has been unreachable since then. Four police teams are actively searching for him. In a significant development, Rajesh Shah and his driver were arrested later in the day for not cooperating with the investigation and attempting to destroy evidence. They will be presented in court tomorrow.
A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, rash driving, and destruction of evidence. Provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act have also been invoked.
Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde has termed the incident “unfortunate” and assured that strict action will be taken. “Law will take its own course; everyone is equal before the law. I have spoken to the police, and stringent action will be taken,” he stated.
This incident follows a similar case in Pune months ago, where two young engineers lost their lives due to a drink-driving accident involving a speeding Porsche. The minor driver, his prominent realtor father, mother, and grandfather were all arrested for attempting to destroy evidence.
The death of Kaveri Nakva has left the local community in shock and mourning. Her family and neighbors are demanding justice, calling for the strictest punishment for those responsible for this tragic accident.
