'These boys need a lesson': Supreme Court shuts the door on bail in Mumbai BMW hit-and-run case

The Supreme Court has refused to entertain Mihir Shah’s bail plea in the Mumbai BMW hit-and-run case, citing conduct, affluence and flight risk.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain the bail plea of Mihir Shah, accused in the 2024 Mumbai BMW hit-and-run case, remarking that “these boys need to be taught a lesson,” according to PTI. The decision keeps Shah in judicial custody and effectively upholds the Bombay High Court’s earlier denial of bail.

A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and A G Masih took note of the accused’s background, observing that Shah belongs to an affluent family and that his father is linked to the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena, PTI reported.

“He parks his Mercedes in the shed, takes out his BMW and crashes it and goes absconding. Let him be inside for some time. These boys need to be taught a lesson,” the bench observed while declining to hear the plea, PTI said.

Senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for Shah, told the court that the Bombay High Court had allowed him to seek bail after the testimony of key witnesses was recorded. Sensing the court’s stance, she sought permission to withdraw the plea, which was allowed.

Shah, 24, was arrested on July 9, 2024, two days after he allegedly rammed his BMW into a two-wheeler in Mumbai’s Worli area, killing Kaveri Nakhwa (45) and injuring her husband, Pradeep Nakhwa, PTI reported.

Investigators allege Shah sped towards the Bandra-Worli Sea Link after the collision, even as the woman remained on the bonnet and later got entangled under the car for more than 1.5 km. Shah’s driver, Rajrishi Bidawat, who was also in the car, was arrested on the day of the incident. Both remain in judicial custody.

Shah has challenged the Bombay High Court’s November 21 order refusing him bail. The high court had noted that he was heavily inebriated and failed to stop even after hitting a scooter and dragging the victim under the vehicle.

The court said Shah’s conduct at the time of the alleged offence and afterwards did not inspire confidence to grant bail. It cited allegations that he exchanged seats with his driver, called his father and left the scene, indicating a risk of evading arrest, tampering with evidence or intimidating witnesses, PTI reported.