'Zero tolerance for...': Eknath Shinde condemns rise in hit-and-run cases in Maharashtra

Such miscarriages of justice will not be tolerated by my Government, said the Maharashtra CM.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on July 8, expressed his concerns at the alarming rise in the number of hit-and-run cases in the state.

He also stated, "It is intolerable that the powerful and influential misuse their status to manipulate the system. Such miscarriages of justice will not be tolerated by my Government".

Chief Minister Shinde took to microblogging site X to express his concerns and also said that the guilty will not be spared.

He stressed that the government prioritises the welfare of common citizens and urged the police to take hit-and-run cases seriously, ensuring justice for the victims.

"The lives of ordinary citizens are precious to us. I have directed the State Police department to handle these cases with the utmost seriousness and ensure justice is served. In addition, we are implementing stricter laws and harsher penalties for hit-and-run offenders," Shinde wrote.

He also ensured that the accused would not be spared irrespective of their social or political positions.

"No one, whether rich, influential, or the offspring of bureaucrats or ministers, affiliated with any party, will have immunity as long as I am the Chief Minister of the State. I have zero tolerance for injustice," he noted.

"Let it be clear: my administration stands firmly with the victims and their families. We are committed to creating a safer Maharashtra for all its citizens," stated the Chief Minister.

I am deeply alarmed by the rise in hit-and-run incidents in Maharashtra. It is intolerable that the powerful and influential misuse their status to manipulate the system. Such miscarriages of justice will not be tolerated by my Government.

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The lives of ordinary citizens are…

— Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) July 8, 2024

Earlier in the day, the Maharashtra CM instructed the police to take stringent action in the Mumbai BMW hit-and-run case, stating that no guilty party should be spared. He condemned wealthy politicians who abuse their power to manipulate the system, stating such behavior would not be tolerated.

The incident involved a speeding BMW that struck a scooter in Mumbai’s Worli on July 7 morning, resulting in the death of a 45-year-old woman. The car was allegedly driven by Mihir Shah, 24, son of Rajesh Shah, a senior leader of Shinde's Shiv Sena faction. The Mumbai police have issued a lookout circular (LoC) for Mihir, and have arrested his father and driver for allegedly aiding Mihir's escape after the accident.