Tushar Makwana

Tushar Mulji Makwana (2 February 1967 – 12 February 2004) was a British radio personality of Indian descent. He was killed in a hit-and-run incident during a botched robbery attempt at his home in Solihull, England.

Early life

The youngest of three children, Makwana was born in Jinja, Uganda, of Gujarati Indian descent. His family moved to Britain when he was four years old after they and many other Asians were forced out of Uganda under Idi Amin's regime.

Interested in radio from a young age, Makwana ran a mobile disco as a teen and helped teach other youngsters about broadcasting. His first experience of broadcasting was as a volunteer at Walsall Hospital Radio, where he once held the position of chairman. Makwana worked in banking before beginning his radio career.

Radio career

Makwana became involved in professional radio whilst working at a credit analyst in London. He was taken by ambulance to Heartlands Hospital and was later transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where his wife, Deepika, began a bedside vigil. Makwana's severe injuries resulted in the decision to turn off his life support system was made on 12 February. His funeral was held on 25 March. Birmingham Coroner Aidan Cotter praised his family for allowing his organs to be donated.

Following a trial at Leicester Crown Court in December 2004, Brett Frewin, Matthew Jeffrey, Michael McGuire and Ashley Cooksey were convicted of Makwana's manslaughter and jailed for ten years.