Bhavesh Bhinde, man behind Mumbai billboard tragedy, arrested from Udaipur
Udaipur/IBNS: Bhavesh Bhinde, a businessman whose company was responsible for installing the massive billboard that collapsed in Mumbai's Ghatkopar killing 16 and injuring 74, was arrested from Rajasthan's Udaipur on Thursday.
A case had been registered against Bhavesh Bhinde after the billboard erected by his company collapsed during a storm in Mumbai, leading to the deaths of 14 and injuring at least 74 others.
Bhavesh Bhinde, the wanted accused in the FIR, had been on the run since the incident occurred. He is already booked for over 20 cases against him, including one of rape.
The 120X120-foot hoarding that collapsed on a fuel station in Ghatkopar on Monday was so large that it made it to the Limca Book of Records.
According to the BMC, billboards larger than 40x40 feet are not permitted.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that the government would cover the medical costs of those injured and will give Rs. 5 lakh in compensation to the families of those killed in the accident.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya alleged, "No tender process was followed while giving permission to Bhavesh Bhinde. He got permission only because he was close to Sunil Raut, brother of Sanjay Raut."
Bhinde had also contested the state election as an Independent candidate from the Mulund constituency in 2009.
Following the Ghatkopar hoarding incident, BMC announced that no new hoardings would be allowed in Mumbai at this time; irrespective of whether the advertisement board is in any government or private premises. These instructions are mandatory to follow.