Prime accused Bhavesh Bhinde granted bail in Mumbai billboard collapse that killed 17.
In a significant development in the Mumbai billboard collapse case that claimed 17 lives, the prime accused, Bhavesh Bhinde, has been granted bail. The tragic incident occurred on May 13, 2024, when a massive illegal billboard measuring 120×120 ft crashed onto a petrol pump in Ghatkopar during a sudden dust storm and unseasonal rains. The collapse resulted in the deaths of 17 people, including a former general manager of Mumbai airport’s Air Traffic Control and his wife, while injuring over 70 others.
The hoarding was erected without proper approvals, far exceeding the legal size limit of 40×40 ft. Bhinde, the director of Ego Media Private Limited, which owned the billboard, was arrested shortly after the incident. He faced charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with other individuals involved in the faulty installation of the hoarding.
Following the collapse, local authorities faced public outrage, with demands for accountability. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ordered the removal of similar illegal hoardings across the city. Several arrests were made, including that of civil contractor Sagar Kumbhar and structural engineer Ramakrishna Sahu. Both were also granted bail after initially being charged in connection with the incident.
This case has shed light on the dangers of unauthorized constructions in urban areas and raised concerns about public safety in the face of such negligence. Bhinde’s bail adds a new chapter to the ongoing legal proceedings, as families of the victims continue to seek justice for their loss.
This incident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of urban infrastructure laws and greater accountability from both private contractors and public authorities.
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