Mumbai: The investigation into the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case has taken a significant turn with the Mumbai police’s crime branch arresting another accused individual. Manoj Ramkrishna Sanghu, an engineer approved by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has been apprehended for allegedly providing a stability certificate for the oversized hoarding that tragically collapsed on a petrol pump on May 13, claiming 17 lives and injuring numerous others.
According to police reports, Sanghu, despite being aware of the hoarding’s dimensions exceeding BMC norms, purportedly certified its stability on April 24, 2023. This arrest follows that of Bhavesh Bhinde, director of Ego Media, the advertising agency responsible for erecting the ill-fated hoarding. Bhinde, apprehended on May 16, has since been remanded to judicial custody after the expiration of his 14-day police custody.
The crime branch is actively pursuing Janhavi Marathe, a former director of Ego Media, who is currently sought for questioning. Marathe, who applied for anticipatory bail in the sessions court, remains untraceable as police efforts to locate her continue.
Ego Media’s involvement in the case has drawn scrutiny, particularly regarding its interactions with the Government Railway Police (GRP) concerning permissions for hoardings on the site. Allegations suggest that the hoarding’s size and tenures were expanded beyond initial approvals, raising questions about procedural irregularities.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, students from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) have conducted a site visit to gather samples for a structural stability report. This investigative effort aims to shed light on the circumstances leading to the hoarding collapse and will be pivotal in determining accountability. As the investigation unfolds, the Mumbai police are committed to unravelling the complexities of the case and ensuring that justice is served for the victims and their families. The arrests made thus far underscore the gravity of the situation and the determination to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
