Following the tragic collapse of a large hoarding in Ghatkopar that claimed 17 lives in May, a detailed investigation has unearthed several lapses and irregularities involving IPS officer Quaiser Khalid, who was in charge of the Government Railway Police (GRP) in Mumbai at the time.
The investigation, spearheaded by the State Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla, has highlighted significant procedural oversights on Khalid’s part. It has been revealed that Khalid sanctioned the hoarding despite lacking approval from the DGP office, a move that has raised serious questions about regulatory compliance and safety protocols. Moreover, Khalid’s decision to authorize the hoarding just days after his transfer to a different department, and without adhering to standard bureaucratic protocols, has drawn criticism for its potential conflict of interest and procedural irregularity.
One of the key findings of the investigation points to Khalid’s alteration of the hoarding contract duration from 10 years to an extended period of 30 years for Ego Media, the company managing the hoarding. This decision, purportedly justified by the high cost of constructing a reinforced concrete structure for the hoarding, has come under scrutiny for its legality and financial implications. Furthermore, the investigation has revealed financial transactions involving Ego Media, including substantial sums transferred to multiple bank accounts allegedly at the direction of Arshad Khan, a partner in Khalid’s wife’s company. While Khalid’s wife has not been implicated in the case, these transactions underscore potential financial entanglements that merit further investigation.
In response to these revelations, Khalid has defended his actions, claiming that his decisions were aimed at maximizing revenue for railway police welfare. He has asserted that the approvals and alterations made were in line with administrative norms, despite the timing and procedural concerns raised by investigators. The ongoing investigation, led by a special investigation team (SIT), has already resulted in the arrest of several individuals associated with Ego Media, including its directors and contractors involved in the hoarding’s construction. Authorities are now poised to record Khalid’s statement as part of their efforts to ascertain accountability and prevent future lapses in regulatory oversight. As the probe continues, the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of stringent regulatory adherence and safety protocols in urban infrastructure projects, particularly those involving public safety and welfare.
