A £20,000 reward is being offered for information that helps solve a hit-and-run in a north London Tesco car park that left an 80-year-old man dead.
Bhagwanji Rughani died after being struck by a white van at the Barnet supermarket shortly before 5pm on Saturday, September 24, 2022.
A year on from the tragedy the driver remains at large, while Mr Rughani’s family is “shattered” by their loss.
Independent charity Crimestoppers is now offering a £20,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible.
Police also on Monday released footage showing the van that was reversed into Mr Rughani.
“It is believed that two white men were in the van that day and the van was on cloned registration plates,” said a Scotland Yard spokesperson.
“At approximately 4.50pm on September 24, 2022 the van was seen driving around the Tesco car park in the Coppetts Centre in Colney Hatch.
“The van came to a sudden stop and then quickly reversed, colliding with Mr Rughani. It then drove from the scene without stopping.
“Mr Rughani was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries the following day.”
Two men were arrested as part of the police investigation but were later released with no further action.
The 80-year-old’s family said: “The whole family are devastated with the tragic loss of our loving father and we all miss him dearly everyday.“
Detective Constable Jonathan Stokes, from the Met’s Road and Transport Policing Command, said: “It is now one-year since this tragic incident and Mr Rughani’s family and friends remain shattered by his death.
“A reward of £20,000 is available for anyone who can provide information to Crimestoppers that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
“I would appeal to anyone who knows who was driving that van, or anyone who has information that could progress this investigation to get in contact immediately.”
To be eligible for the £20,000 reward, information must be provided to Crimestoppers.
Alexa Loukas, Crimestoppers London Regional Manager, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Rughani, who are still feeling the pain of losing a loved one in such an awful way. Please remember that with our charity, we promise no police, no courts, no witness statements. All you have to do is tell us what you know.
“Crimestoppers, which is completely independent of the police, keeps its promise of 100% anonymity to more than a thousand people who trust us with their crime information every single day.
“Share what you know by calling our UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week or use our website’s secure anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.
“No one will ever know you contacted us. We cannot trace your call or track your IP address and we never ask for or record any personal information.”
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call 020 8246 9820 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD 4826/24Sep22.
