A giant hoarding in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar collapsed on Monday evening, resulting in the death of at least 14 people. An FIR was registered against Bhavesh Bhinde and others for culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the IPC at Pant Nagar police station.
Bhinde, the owner of Ego Media Private Limited, the company responsible for installing the massive hoarding, is absconding. His mobile phone is switched off, according to police sources.
This January, Bhinde was accused of rape, with a case registered against him at the Mulund Police Station. Additionally, a chargesheet has been filed.
Bhinde reportedly secured numerous contracts from the Indian Railways and the BMC for installing billboards and banners over the years. However, he has allegedly breached the regulations of both entities multiple times. Moreover, he and his company are implicated in cases involving tree poisoning and tree cutting.
Illegal hoarding
The illegal hoarding, which stood on a piece of land in the possession of the Government Railway Police (GRP), crashed into a petrol pump in Chheda Nagar area when Mumbai was hit by dust storms and unseasonal rain.
Officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said victims trapped under as much as 90% of the 120 x 120-foot hoarding had been rescued. At least 89 persons were extricated from under the hoarding, of whom 14 were declared dead. Seventy-five were injured and are undergoing treatment, officials said.
Ironically, the billboard that collapsed had previously earned recognition in the ‘Limca Book of Records’ for being the “Largest Hoarding”.
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