Mumbai Hoarding Collapse: Court Extends Ad Firm Director’s Police Custody till May 29

A Mumbai court has extended the police custody of Bhavesh Bhinde, director of the advertising firm responsible for the collapsed hoarding in the Ghatkopar area, until May 29, 2024.

Fatal Incident

The incident, which occurred on May 13 during a dust storm and rains, claimed 17 lives when the giant hoarding managed by M/S Ego Media Pvt Ltd collapsed onto a petrol pump.

Following the incident, Bhinde absconded, leading the police to register a case against him for culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 304 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He was subsequently arrested in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on May 16 and brought back to the city, where he was remanded in police custody until May 26.

Extension of Police Custody

On May 26, the crime branch, which is investigating the case, presented Bhinde before the metropolitan magistrate court at the conclusion of his previous custody. The crime branch sought an extension of his remand, citing ongoing inquiries into other hoardings installed by Bhinde’s firm across the city. Additionally, the police indicated that the financial aspects of the billboard installations were also under investigation.

Advocate Rizwan Merchant, representing Bhinde, opposed the extension, arguing that the FIR pertained only to the collapsed hoarding. After considering arguments from both sides, the court extended Bhinde’s police custody until May 29. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, no permission had been granted for the hoarding in question.

Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, Other Courts, International