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Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse: Mumbai Police Arrests Billboard Owner Bhavesh Bhinde
On Thursday, the Mumbai Police arrested Bhavesh Bhinde, the director of Ego Media Pvt Ltd, the advertising agency that owned the billboard that collapsed in Ghatkopar on May 13, resulting in the tragic deaths of 16 individuals and injuries to 74 others.
The colossal billboard, which significantly exceeded the permissible size limit of 40x40 feet, had been erected on a 10-year lease in Pant Nagar, Ghatkopar East. On May 13, a brief spell of unseasonal rain and gusty winds caused the structure to collapse, crashing down on a crowded petrol pump and trapping nearly 100 people beneath it, ultimately leading to the heartbreaking loss of 14 lives.
Following the tragic incident, the Pant Nagar police initiated legal proceedings against Bhinde under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others, causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others, and common intention.
To apprehend Bhinde, who had fled the city, the authorities assembled more than 10 police teams from Mumbai and Gujarat. Investigations revealed that Bhinde had been facing additional criminal charges, including rape and molestation, as well as cheating.
In January of this year, a woman working in Bhinde's office filed a case of rape and molestation against him. Bhinde managed to secure anticipatory bail from the Bombay High Court, preventing his arrest by the Mulund police, although a chargesheet has been filed against him. In 2016, a second case was registered against Bhinde at the same police station.
Moreover, prior to 2009, 21 cases of fines were filed against Bhinde under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. Notably, Bhinde had contested the 2009 assembly election as an independent candidate from the Mulund constituency.
The tragic Ghatkopar hoarding collapse serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for stricter regulations and enforcement measures to ensure the safety of public infrastructure and prevent such devastating incidents from occurring in the future.
Source: Ghatkopar hoarding collapse: Mumbai police arrests billboard owner Bhavesh Bhinde