India

Sculptor Of Collapsed Chhatrapati Shivaji Statue Arrested In Maharashtra

Kalyan Police arrested sculptor Jaydeep Apte from his residence following a lookout notice issued by Sindhudurg District authorities. Apte had been on the run after the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue at Rajkot Fort, Malvan.

Taking advantage of the darkness, Apte returned to his Kalyan home to meet his wife and mother. However, the police quickly arrested him. The authorities had earlier detained structural engineer Chetan Patil in connection with the incident, charging him under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita.

Public outrage erupted after the statue collapsed on August 26, just eight months after its unveiling in December 2023. The police issued a lookout notice on Tuesday to prevent Apte from fleeing the country.

Apte’s family initially sought refuge with relatives in Shahapur, but the police tracked and questioned his wife and mother. Despite multiple attempts to arrest him, the police finally apprehended Apte at his Kalyan residence.

Also Read: Manipur Police Urges Army’s Help Amid Rising Militantancy

Opposition leaders have accused the MahaYuti government of shielding Apte and covering up corruption involved in the statue’s construction. The statue’s collapse, attributed to heavy winds by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, was rejected by the Opposition, who claimed corruption as the real cause.

Art Director of the project revealed that only a six-foot statue was approved, but officials erected a 35-foot statue instead. Amid the controversy, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and later Chief Minister Shinde apologized. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also sought forgiveness on August 30.

The state government has promised a thorough investigation into the incident.

Shibra Arshad

Recent Posts

Five Districts In Manipur Face Internet Shutdown Following Unrest

Manipur suspended internet in five districts for five days after protests over arrest of a…

42 mins ago

Shashi Tharoor Criticises Pakistan: “In Pakistan You Get Rewarded For Promoting Terrorism”

Shashi Tharoor condemns Pakistan’s treatment of Dr Shakil Afridi, who helped the US locate Osama…

55 mins ago

How To Read Food Labels & Make Smarter Grocery Choices

Reading food labels helps you make informed, healthier choices by understanding nutrition facts & picking…

1 hour ago

JP Nadda Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Match-Fixing’ Claims As ‘Desperation Of Losing’ Polls

Rahul Gandhi's opinion piece appeared in a national daily and sparked political uproar. Opposition parties…

14 hours ago

Poverty In India Reduced Via Tangible Boost In Household Living Standards, Incomes

In 2022–23, poverty under the revised $3.00 line stood at just 5.25 per cent in…

14 hours ago

Chhattisgarh: Seven Maoists Killed In Indravati National Park Operation

Five Maoists were killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district,…

14 hours ago