In a significant development concerning the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse on May 13, the Mumbai Crime Branch has summoned Gajanan Bellale, the chief BMC officer of Ghatkopar East, for questioning. This incident, resulting in the tragic deaths of 17 individuals and injuries to 74 others amid adverse weather conditions, has prompted intensified investigative efforts.
According to reports by Times of India, Bellale is scheduled to appear for questioning today regarding his role and the BMC's oversight in the approval and maintenance of the ill-fated hoarding structure.
This summons follows recent legal proceedings surrounding the case, including the Mumbai Sessions Court's rejection of anticipatory bail for Jhanvi Marathe, former director of Ego Media. Marathe, who has been declared absconding by the Mumbai Crime Branch, faces scrutiny over her involvement during her tenure from 2020 to December 2023, preceding the current director, Bhavesh Bhide.
The Mumbai Police Crime Branch, investigating the matter through a Special Investigation Team (SIT), has already recorded statements from 20 individuals connected to the incident. Recently, the Crime Branch made another arrest, apprehending Manoj Ramkrishna Sanghu, an engineer approved by the BMC, for allegedly issuing a structural stability certificate to Ego Media Private LTD for the collapsed hoarding.
Meanwhile, Bhavesh Bhide, director of Ego Media, was arrested earlier in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and subsequently brought back to Mumbai. Authorities are probing the circumstances surrounding the hoarding contract awarded to Bhide and the financial gains accrued from it.
The case, registered under IPC sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 338 (causing grievous hurt), 337 (causing hurt), and 34 (common intention), implicates Bhavesh Bhide and others at Pantnagar police station in Mumbai.
In response to the tragedy, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner has highlighted Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's directive to inspect all hoardings across the state, underscoring the need for enhanced regulatory oversight and accountability in such infrastructure projects.
As investigations continue, authorities aim to ascertain any regulatory lapses and ensure accountability for the loss of lives in this unfortunate incident.
