Mumbai: Ghatkopar Hoarding That Collapsed Was Illegal, Owner Booked

The hoarding that collapsed at a Ghatkopar, injuring at least 35 persons on Monday following stormy winds, is found to have been illegal. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is said to have issued a notice to the owner barely two days ago, Bharatiya Janata Party leader and ex MP Kirit Somaiya told media. 

Hours later, Bhavesh Bhinde, owner of Ego Media Company, was charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. According to reports, the FIR, registered at Pant Nagar police station, accuses Bhinde of violating sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering personal safety of others), 337 (causing hurt by rash or negligent act endangering human life), and 34 (common intention).

Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a notice to the advertisement agency, asking it to immediately remove the remaining three billboards near the site, officials said.

The notice was issued to M/s Ego Media for installing the billboard that collapsed on the petrol pump during Monday evening's gusty winds.

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"The BMC has instructed the ad agency to promptly remove the remaining three billboards for lacking valid permission," an official stated.

The Assistant Police Commissioner (Admin) granted permission for erecting the four billboards on behalf of the Commissioner of Railway Police, Mumbai, including the one which collapsed on Monday, but no official permission or NOC was obtained from the BMC.

The official mentioned that the land on which the billboard was erected belongs to the Collector and is under the possession of the Police Housing Welfare Corporation of the Government of Maharashtra as per property card records.

The land was initially allocated to the Government Railway Police for use, it was noted.

Earlier on May 2, the BMC issued a notice to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Admin) of Railway Police to instruct the advertising agency about the cancellation of all permissions and removal of the billboards, the BMC official said.

Mumbai Police had filed a case against the concerned advertising agency for allegedly poisoning trees obstructing the view of the billboards in the Chheda Nagar area, he added.

A case was filed against the Mulund-based M/s Ego Media on July 13, 2023, at Pant Nagar police station for poisoning nine coconut trees and two bottle palm trees, the official mentioned.

Though the BMC permits billboards of a maximum size of 40x40 square feet, the illegal billboard that collapsed measured 120 x 120 square feet in size, the official stated.

He mentioned that the work order for the installation of the billboard was initially issued in December 2021 by the then Assistant Commissioner of Police on behalf of the GRP Commissioner.

Ravindra Shisave, Commissioner, GRP, stated that the land on which the billboards were erected is under the possession of the Government Railway Police, but the billboards were installed before he assumed charge.

He further stated that the GRP has initiated an inquiry into the permissions granted for installing the billboards.

"Taking serious note of the incident, an inquiry has been initiated to determine under whose authority the permission was granted," Shisave said.

According to reports, the three billboards are likely to be removed on Tuesday by the BMC.

(With inputs from Agencies)