NEW DELHI: A case has been filed against Bhavesh Bhinde, owner of Ego Media, for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. It comes after a billboard erected by his company fell during a storm in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar on Monday. The incident killed 14 people and injured at least 74 others.
According to the police, the 51-year-old was missing from his residence and had switched off his mobile phone. Bhavesh has 23 cases registered against him, including one of rape. He was arrested two months ago after his girlfriend filed a rape case against him on the pretext of marriage. A chargesheet has already been filed in the case and he’s out on anticipatory bail.
Bhavesh also reportedly contested the state elections as an independent from the Mulund constituency in 2009, which he failed to win. The owner of the advertising agency had bagged several contracts from the Indian railways and the Mumbai civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). He has been accused of violating the rules of both organisations several times.
ALSO READ: https://www.newindian.in/bjps-plan-to-seize-mumbai-from-shiv-sena/
Bhinde’s agency claimed in their response that they had received permission from the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP). BMC officials refute, saying that a nod from Municipal Corporation is also necessary for all billboards in areas under its jurisdiction.
The hoarding which fell in the Mumbai storm on Tuesday was 120×120 feet tall, and holds the Limca Book of World Records for the largest hoarding. BMC only allows hoardings only up to 40×40 feet.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered a structural audit of all hoardings in the city. “The hoardings, if found illegal and dangerous, would be removed immediately,” he said.
The billboard which collapsed during a thunderstorm in Mumbai fell on some houses and a petrol station following gusty winds and rain late on Tuesday. The rescue operations lasted 40 hours till late Wednesday.
Also Read: https://www.newindian.in/lesser-known-facts-about-fali-s-nariman-senior-sc-advocate-who-died-at-95/