Ghatkopar hoarding collapse: Neglected action could have prevented hoarding tragedy

If the Pant Nagar police and BMC had taken action against the hoarding company, it could have prevented the loss of life in the hoarding incident on Tuesday. In February this year, Ego Media was accused of poisoning trees to improve the visibility of their hoardings, leading to an FIR. However, the local police didn't investigate the matter further. Bhavesh Bhinde, the director of Ego Media, is now wanted by the police. He's also out on bail, having been charged with rape by the city police.

"Since 2022, I have written several letters to the BMC specifically about the illegal hoarding, as its height exceeded the prescribed limit. However, the BMC, Government Railway Police (GRP), and local police failed to take any action," said Kunal Turerao, a social activist.

Poisoning trees

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya said, "I had written to the BMC commissioner about Ego Media's involvement in poisoning trees and the illegality of the hoardings. I had also demanded a thorough investigation into the matter." According to sources, the Pant Nagar police station heavily relied on CCTV footage to apprehend the accused involved in tree poisoning, but they failed to take any action. In a fresh FIR registered on May 13, late at night, the police have booked Bhavesh Bhinde, the director of Ego Media Pvt Ltd, the civil contractor, and others involved in the matter.

Bhavesh Bhinde the accused. Pic/X

The FIR reported that the police received a call and upon reaching the BPCL petrol pump, they found that a huge 120 ft billboard had collapsed, covering the entire petrol pump, resulting in the deaths of several people and injuries to others. The FIR further alleged that Ego Media and others had not conducted a structural audit and deliberately constructed a weak billboard. The police stated, "The representatives of Ego Media and others were fully aware that the billboard was not safe and its collapse led to loss of human life."

Teams formed

Two teams have been formed to locate Bhinde. "Bhinde's mobile phone is switched off, and we went to his workplace and residence in Mulund, but he was not present. We suspect that he's out of Mumbai, hence the formation of two teams to nab him," said the police.

In a previous instance, an FIR had been registered against Ego Media in February, and the company denied involvement in the alleged crime. "We checked the CCTV footage and found nothing suspicious. When we called representatives from the company, they denied any involvement in the poisoning or cutting of trees," said the police. Bhinde has a criminal record; he had been booked by the Mulund police on charges of rape in January, and he was out on bail.

The police have booked Bhavesh Bhinde and others in this hoarding collapse incident and are yet to book any representative from the GRP in this matter. "The land of the petrol pump and the billboards belongs to the GRP. We are investigating the matter," said the police. Bhavesh Bhinde and others have been booked under Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 337 (causing hurt), 338 (causing grievous hurt), 427 (mischief), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

May 13
Day the incident happened