Mumbai: Ghatkopar hoarding owner a rape accused | 8 things about Bhavesh Bhinde
Mumbai hoarding collapse: Bhavesh Bhinde of Ego Media Private Limited remained absconding. His mobile phone is switched off.
Mumbai hoarding collapse news: A case has been filed against Bhavesh Bhinde, the owner of Ego Media Private Limited, the company responsible for installing the massive hoarding in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area. The giant hoarding collapsed on Monday evening, resulting in the loss of at least 16 lives. The FIR was registered against Bhavesh Bhinde and others for culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the IPC at Pant Nagar police station, another official said.

Bhavesh Bhinde remained absconding since the incident. Police officials said Bhavesh Bhinde's mobile phone is also switched off.
The illegal hoarding, which stood on a piece of land in the possession of the Government Railway Police (GRP), crashed into a petrol pump in the Chheda Nagar area when the city was hit by dust storms and unseasonal rain.
Officials said late Tuesday evening that the search and rescue operation at the site of the collapse in Ghatkopar continued even 40 hours after the incident and may continue for a few more hours.
An official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said victims trapped under as much as 90 per cent of the 120 x 120-foot hoarding had been rescued.
At least 89 persons were extricated from under the hoarding, of whom 14 were declared dead while the other 75 were injured and undergoing treatment, officials said.
Two more bodies were located under the debris as the search and rescue operation continued after the incident, officials told PTI on Wednesday. The bodies were spotted last night at the hoarding crash site in Ghatkopar, but were yet to be pulled out, they said.
Mumbai hoarding collapse: Who is Bhavesh Bhinde?
- In January of this year, Bhavesh Bhinde was accused of rape, with a case registered against him at the Mulund Police Station. Additionally, a chargesheet has been filed.
- NDTV, citing unnamed sources, reported that Bhavesh Bhinde secured numerous contracts from the Indian Railways and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for installing billboards and banners over the years. However, he has allegedly breached the regulations of both entities multiple times.
- Moreover, Bhavesh Bhinde and other associates in his company are implicated in cases involving tree poisoning and tree cutting.
- 1n 2009, Bhavesh Bhinde had unsuccessfully contested the Maharashtra legislative assembly election from Mulund as an Independent candidate, India Today reported.
- According to an affidavit filed by Bhinde, when he contested the election, declared 23 criminal cases against him.
- Previously, Bhinde operated a company named Guju Ads, which was subsequently blacklisted by the BMC due to multiple legal issues involving him and the firm, India Today added.
- Despite the blacklisting, Bhinde proceeded to establish Ego Media Pvt Ltd and continued to secure contracts for billboards and hoardings, according to the sources.
- The billboard that collapsed on Monday had previously earned recognition in the Limca Book of Records for being the “Largest Hoarding”.
ABOUT THE AUTHORHT News DeskFollow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

E-Paper


