Mumbai, Jun 10 Mihir Shah, the prime accused in the 2024 BMW car hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of a woman two-wheeler pillion rider in Mumbai's Worli area, will face trial for culpable homicide, with a court on Wednesday framing charges against him, his father, and their driver.
Mihir Shah, who allegedly drove the high-end car in an inebriated condition, and driver Rajrushi Bidawat who was travelling with him, will face trial for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, while Mihir's father and former Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah has been charged for causing the disappearance of evidence.
Additional Sessions Judge Anil Salunkhe said there is sufficient material against the accused to proceed with a trial.
Charges were also framed against Mihir Shah and Bidawat under other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and for offences under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Mihir Shah was arrested three days after he allegedly rammed his BMW car into a two-wheeler in Worli area on July 7, 2024, killing pillion rider Kaveri Nakhwa and leaving her husband Pradeep injured.
Bidawat was allegedly present in the car at the time of the accident.
He and Mihir are currently in judicial custody, while Rajesh Shah is out on bail.
Rajesh Shah, accused of allegedly helping Mihir escape after the accident, had claimed he was innocent and cooperated with the police.
His lawyer argued that he did not cause the disappearance of evidence, and there was no intention to cause death by the driver.
The prosecution countered these claims, stating that upon learning of the incident, Rajesh Shah intentionally helped the prime accused evade arrest and medical examination, despite knowing that the driver was drunk and a serious offence had been committed.
The court noted that prima facie investigation papers on record create "grave suspicion" that Rajesh, with knowledge or having reason to believe that a serious offence had been committed by his son and driver, acted with the intention to cause the disappearance of evidence.
The court then charged him with the offence committed under BNS section 238 (Causing disappearance of evidence).
