Mumbai BMW hit-and-run case: How the events unfolded

Mihir Shah, the son of a Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah, was arrested two days after the incident and has confessed to being behind the wheel at the time of the incident. Rajesh, a deputy leader in Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, has been sacked from his post.

Here’s how the events unfolded:

Mihir had consumed alcohol at a Juhur bar, according to the CCTV footage obtained by the police. In the early hours of Sunday, Mihir, while returning home, insisted on driving the car, allegedly while he was intoxicated. The car rammed into the couple, who were returning home after buying fish to sell, and fled from the spot.

The police have stated that Mihir has claimed he escaped from the site as he was fearful of the consequences and shaved off his beard and cut his hair to hide his identity.

He is believed to have initially hid at his friend’s house in Goregaon from where his elder sister picked him up and dropped him near Thane. After that Mihir, his sisters, and his mother hid in different hotels in Thane, near Nashik, and in Murbad.

Mihir allegedly rammed into the couple, who were returning home after buying fish to sell, and fled from the spot. (right Kaveri Nakhwa.) (Express Photo)

Mihir was traced in Virar after police received information on his location. A friend, who was accompanying him, switched on his phone for 15 minutes due to which the accused was traced and detained, police officials said.

The mother and sisters along with Avdeep, the friend, have been detained for allegedly helping him escape after the accident. His father, too, was arrested under the charges of helping him flee and causing the disappearance of evidence of offence.

The police stated that after the accident, Mihir contacted his father, who instructed the driver, Rajrishi Rajendrasingh Bidawat, to take responsibility for the accident. According to the police, Bidawat and Mihir had exchanged seats after the accident, who reversed the vehicle and mowed (down) the victim for the second time before escaping.

While both Rajesh and Bidawat were arrested, Rajesh was released on bail on Monday, however, Bidawat was produced before a court on Tuesday and remanded in police custody till July 11.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra excise department sealed the Vice Global Tapas bar, which served liquor to the accused, who is below the legal drinking age. On Wednesday, “illegal” portions of the bar were demolished.

On Thursday, the police are expected to recreate the crime scene and question Mihir and Bidawat, according to news agency PTI. Mihir has been sent to police custody till July 16.