MUMBAI: In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Mumbai BMW hit-and-run case in which a woman Kaveri Nakhva was killed and her husband Pradeep Nakhva, residents of Worli's Koliwada area, the fish-seller couple was injured, civic body the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) carried out a demolition drive at Juhu's The Vice-Global Tapas Bar, infamous for allegedly serving liquor to Mihir Shah, the accused in the hit-and-run incident against the state excise rules of not serving hard liquor to persons less than 25 years old, was razed by BMC officials. This action comes after the Mumbai Police on Tuesday searched the place and sealed it.

The demolition drive came after damning evidence emerged linking Mihir Shah to the bar. According to the Mumbai Police, Shah and his friends had visited the establishment on the night, and then left with his driver for South Mumbai during the early hours of Sunday, just hours before the tragic accident that took place in Worli. According to investigations, he was spotted in the Marine Drive area around 4:30 pm, driving his luxury car, while his driver, identified as Rajrushi Bidawat, was sitting next to him. The police have managed to recover the bill and CCTV footage from the bar, which will serve as crucial evidence in the case.

According to officials, the BMC's action was not solely motivated by the involvement of the accused in the hit-and-run incident but also due to the bar's numerous violations. "The Vice-Global Tapas Bar had been operational since 2022 and was found to be serving and selling alcohol to non-permitted drinkers in an area that was not authorized for a restaurant. Additionally, the bar had made unauthorized alterations to its structure, further exacerbating the violation of regulations," officials said.

The demolition drive was conducted meticulously, with BMC officials demolishing the illegal structures amidst adequate police bandobast, and ensuring that the bar was completely razed to prevent any future operations. This action sends a strong message to establishments that flout regulations and endanger public safety.

Mihir Shah, the son of prominent Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah, was arrested by the Mumbai Police on July 9 in connection with the hit-and-run case. The incident, which resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to her husband, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws. The BMC's demolition of the Vice-Global Tapas Bar, where Mihir Shah had consumed liquor before the hit-and-run incident, highlights a strong message to other establishments.