Tragic End to High-Speed Return: Prominent Pune Jeweller Manthan Shah Killed in Expressway Crash

PUNE | February 4, 2026 – 4:45 AM

In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the city’s business community, Manthan Shah (34), a well-known young jeweller and scion of a legacy jewellery house in Pune, lost his life in a high-speed solo accident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in the early hours of Wednesday.

The Incident

The accident occurred at approximately 4:10 AM near the Lonavala-Khandala exit, a stretch known for its treacherous curves. Shah was reportedly returning to his residence in Prabhat Road, Pune, after attending a private business gala in South Mumbai.

According to Highway Police sources, Shah was behind the wheel of his customized Mercedes-Benz GLS. Preliminary investigations suggest that the vehicle was travelling at a high velocity when it veered off its lane. The SUV reportedly careened into the concrete median divider, flipped twice, and came to a halt nearly 50 metres from the point of impact.

Suspected Intoxication

First responders from the Delta Force and local highway patrol noted a strong scent of alcohol at the scene. "The victim appeared to have lost control due to impaired reflexes," stated a patrolling officer on the condition of anonymity. "The lack of skid marks suggests that the driver did not apply the brakes before hitting the divider, pointing toward severe intoxication or the driver falling asleep at the wheel."

A Legacy Cut Short

Manthan Shah was a prominent face in the Pune Saraf Bazar, known for modernizing his family’s decades-old jewellery brand. Friends and colleagues describe him as a vibrant entrepreneur with a penchant for luxury cars and high-profile networking.

Current Status

Shah was rushed to a private hospital in Nigdi, but was declared dead on arrival due to massive internal haemorrhaging and head trauma. The Lonavala Police have filed an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and have sent samples for a forensic toxicology report to confirm the level of intoxication.