Ghatkopar hoarding collapse: Maharashtra govt suspends IPS officer for giving approval to illegal billboard
Mumbai hoarding incident
More than a month after the tragic and shocking hoarding collapse in India’s financial capital city Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area killed 16 people, the Maharashtra government suspended IPS officer Qaiser Khalid on Tuesday (June 25).
A notification issued by the state home department revealed that Khalid gave approval for the huge illegal hoarding without proper approvals from the concerned departments.
The 120x140 feet hoarding collapsed due to gusty winds and unseasonal rains. It was found that the massive size of the hoarding was one of the reasons for its collapse on 13th May during the rough weather.
The detailed order issued by the home department said: "A preliminary inquiry has been conducted regarding a hoarding collapse in Ghatkopar, Mumbai on 13/05/2024 which was erected on Railway Police Land, resulting into death of 16 people, a report was submitted by the Director General of Police, Maharashtra State, dated 21 May, 2024 referred has clearly mentioned the gross irregularities and administrative lapses in sanctioning the hoarding that collapsed on 13th May, 2024."
The order further reads,"the Government of Maharashtra has decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Shri. Md. Quaiser Khalid, IPS (MH : 1997), Additional Director General of PCR, Maharashtra State the then CP, Railways, Mumbai in respect of administrative lapses and irregularities in sanctioning the hoarding, on his own, without approval of the DGP office and in respect of the misusage of powers by allowing massive hoarding size of 120 X 140 sq ft deviating from the approved norms as pointed out in the report of Director General of Police, Maharashtra State."
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The SIT has found that, despite knowing the land belonged to the state government and the BMC was the licensing authority, Khalid approved the hoarding on the application of Ego Media director Bhavesh Bhinde, who has been arrested by the crime branch.
The suspension also comes amid reports of Mumbai police probing a series of money transactions allegedly linking the company that owned the hoarding, and a business associate of the wife of the IPS officer.
About the incident
On May 13, 2024, a massive hoarding collapsed in Mumbai's Ghatkopar where 16 people were killed and about 75 people were injured. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde termed it unfortunate and directed the concerned authorities to audit all such hoardings in Mumbai.
He also announced an ex-gratia amount of 500,000 to the victims' next of kin.
(With inputs from agencies)