MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena sacked Rajesh Shah, the father of Worli hit-and-run accused Mihir Shah, from the post of deputy leader on Wednesday. Rajesh Shah was a functionary from the Sena’s Palghar unit and a former district chief of the Sena as well. He was arrested by the Mumbai Police along with his driver, Rajrishi Bidawat, on charges of destroying evidence.The BMW car involved in the case belongs to Rajesh.
A magistrate court granted bail to Rajesh on Monday, while his son Mihir was arrested on Tuesday.
“According to the order of chief leader Eknath Shinde, Rajesh Shah of Palghar is being relieved from the post of Shiv Sena deputy leader,” an order signed by Sena secretary Sanjay More read. Shah was able to secure bail at a provisional cash bail of Rs 15,000, said his advocate Sudhir Bhardwaj.
The accident occurred at around 5.30am on Sunday when Kaveri Nakhwa, a resident of Worli Koliwada, was riding a scooter with her husband Pradeep. A speeding BMW car, allegedly driven by Rajesh Shah’s 24-year-old son Mihir Shah, crashed into their two-wheeler, dragging Kaveri for several meters. She was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray has demanded that the accused, Mihir Shah should be tried for murder. “I have demanded that Mihir Rajesh Shah – the accused – must be tried for murder and not just hit-and-run. Why was he allowed to be on the run for 60 hours? Who was shielding him?” Aaditya said. The Worli MLA also hit out at CM Eknath Shinde over the delay in Mihir’s arrest.
“The illegal CM must stop the grandstanding to divert attention from the hit-and-run case. It is clear, the accused, Mihir Rajesh Shah, must be caught and brought to justice. All the grandstanding about his concern and directives to the police, is simply an eye wash,” Aaditya said on Tuesday before Mihir’s arrest.
“We have demanded that this should be treated like a case of murder and not just hit-and-run. Many things are now coming to light. The woman was dragged by the car and so this must be treated like a murder case. There have been lapses on the part of the police. Where was Mihir Shah for 60 hours? How did he manage to evade the police? What were they trying to hide? The CM must answer these questions. Mihir Shah must be tried for murder. Why did it take 60 hours? What happened to the CCTV network and intelligence network? Was someone helping him,” Aaditya said.
