Shivaji statue collapse: Structural consultant named in FIR arrested from Kolhapur
Chetan Patil, the structural consultant, was named in the FIR registered in connection with the collapse of the 35-foot statue of the Maratha warrior king at Rajkot Fort in coastal Malvan.
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Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district. (File photo)The structural consultant of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which collapsed on Monday in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district, was arrested by the police in Kolhapur Friday morning.
Chetan Patil, the structural consultant, was named in the FIR registered in connection with the collapse of the 35-foot statue of the Maratha warrior king at Rajkot Fort in coastal Malvan. After the statue collapsed, the Opposition slammed the coalition ruling the state alleging corruption in its construction and demanded an investigation.
Patil, a resident of Kolhapur, was taken into custody by the team of Malvan police and Kolhapur police crime branch. Patil has been taken to Malvan, where he will be produced in court.
“Patil has been arrested from Kolhapur and taken to Malvan,” a police officer said, adding they are on the lookout for sculptor Jaideep Apte, who had bagged the contract to construct the Shivaji statue.
A police officer said Patil had built the foundation for the statue and was responsible for its structural stability and consultation. “We will inquire with him about the deal between him and Apte,” the officer said.
Patil, however, had said earlier that he was not the contractor for the statue, claiming that Apte had bagged the contract and that he was merely assisting Apte in building the statue’s foundation.
“I was not assigned the work, work order or contract for the statue, so I have nothing to do with it. Police should find out who is responsible,” Patil had said Thursday.
On August 27, Sindhudurg police booked Apte and Patel in connection with the case. The accused were booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to attempt to commit culpable homicide, act endangering the life or personal safety of others, attempt to murder, and cheating.
An FIR in the regard was filed Monday night against Apte and Patil, based on a complaint lodged by Ajit Patil, assistant engineer, Public Works Department (PWD).
In his complaint, the PWD assistant engineer alleged poor construction quality, with rusted nuts and bolts discovered in the structure when they carried out an inspection on August 20. He also said the contractor was informed and instructed to take permanent measures for the stability of the structure.
The FIR stated that Apte and Patil colluded with each other and constructed the statue without conducting a thorough study, as a result of which the statue fell on August 26. Sindhudurg SP Saurabh Agarwal said, “The arrested accused has been brought to Sindhudurg and we will produce him before court on Saturday to get his custody.”
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