A businessman dealing in scrap and supplier of construction material in Palghar’s Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, Rajesh has been actively involved in Sena activities in Palghar and campaigned for the party during the Lok Sabha elections as well as the MLC polls for graduate seats held on July 2.

Sena sources said Rajesh was also seen as close to CM Shinde, with the two having met in the early 2000s. At the time, Shinde headed the Sena’s activities in Thane district while Rajesh oversaw party programmes in neighbouring Palghar. When the Shiv Sena split in June 2022, no one was surprised that Rajesh went with Shinde.

Known for his networking skills across communities in and around Palghar, Rajesh is also said to have a significant hold on the business community in the district.

“His networking and managerial skills earned the respect of the party cadre and even that of other senior leaders. Despite not being a mass leader, these skills helped him make a mark in politics. He also participates regularly in social events, giving him a profile in the district,” a Sena leader said.

Another leader said that while Rajesh mostly stayed in Palghar, Mihir, 24, stayed at a family-owned property in Mumbai’s Borivali and helped out his father in his construction business.

With Sena opponents attacking Shinde over his association with Rajesh, the CM told the media that the guilty would not be spared.

“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. The lives of ordinary citizens are precious to us.”

He added, “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.”

The accident happened on Sunday morning, with Mihir, allegedly driving a speeding BMW, hitting a scooter in Mumbai’s Worli, leading to a 45-year-old woman’s death. The Mumbai police have issued a lookout circular (LoC) against Mihir.