Who is Shivam Mishra, tobacco tycoon's son behind 2024 I-T raids, Lamborghini crash?

A high-speed Lamborghini crash in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur has once again brought Shivam Mishra and his father K K Mishra, owner of the Banshidhar Tobacco Group, into national focus, reviving attention on a business family that has figured prominently in recent controversies.

The Mishras head one of the country’s major tobacco suppliers. K K Mishra leads the Kanpur-based Banshidhar Tobacco Group, a key raw material provider to several leading pan masala and tobacco brands. While rooted in Uttar Pradesh, the group’s commercial presence extends across Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat and other states.

A LEGACY BUSINESS WITH NATIONAL REACH

Established nearly 90 years ago, Banshidhar Tobacco is counted among Kanpur’s oldest industrial houses. Over decades, it has emerged as a significant player in the tobacco supply chain, servicing some of the biggest names in the industry.

In recent years, Shivam Mishra has taken on a central role in the company’s operations. Widely regarded as the face of its current management, he is involved in key decisions related to expansion, production and overall strategy, driving the group’s national growth.

INCOME TAX RAIDS AND SUDDEN PROMINENCE

The group entered the national spotlight in March 2024 after the Income Tax Department conducted searches at more than 20 locations linked to Banshidhar Tobacco Group and its promoters. The operation covered multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat.

During the searches, officials claimed to have recovered large amounts of cash, documents related to luxury vehicles and high-value diamond watches from premises associated with Shivam Mishra, including his residence in Delhi. Investigators alleged evidence of tax evasion amounting to crores of rupees and undisclosed assets, bringing Shivam Mishra widespread attention.

WHO IS SHIVAM MISHRA

Shivam Mishra is a director at Banshidhar Tobacco Private Limited and oversees the company’s daily functioning. He operates between Kanpur and Delhi’s Vasant Vihar area. Within the organisation, he handles manufacturing, supply chain management and financial planning, and has played a key role in expanding the group’s footprint across India.

CONTROVERSY DURING RAIDS

Another episode during the income tax action added to the controversy. Officials alleged that a licensed pistol was briefly pointed at them by Shivam at the Delhi residence before their identity was clarified and the situation brought under control. After identifying themselves as Income Tax Department officials, Shivam calmed down, putting his arm away. The incident drew considerable attention at the time.

A TASTE FOR LUXURY

Shivam Mishra is also known for a luxury-heavy lifestyle. Reports have linked him to ownership of several high-end vehicles, including Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche. He is also said to possess a collection of diamond jewellery and premium watches valued at crores of rupees.

CRASH THAT REIGNITED QUESTIONS

The focus returned sharply on Sunday after a Lamborghini was involved in a road accident in Kanpur. The speeding vehicle allegedly hit a motorcycle and then an auto-rickshaw, leaving multiple people injured. Questions soon followed over the identity of the driver and the absence of a name in the FIR, triggering fresh scrutiny.

As videos circulated and public attention intensified, the crash once again placed Shivam Mishra and the Banshidhar Tobacco Group at the centre of a wider conversation, extending beyond the accident to issues of influence, accountability and the pace of legal action.