Police form SIT to probe hoarding collapse in Kiwale

Police have till now arrested Namdeo Barku Mhasudge, who owns the site, while other suspects are on the run.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Pimpri Chinchwad, Kakasaheb Dole said, “We have formed an SIT for the arrest of remaining suspects and for the coordinated investigation into the case. The SIT will comprise two inspector-rank officers, one assistant inspector and their respective team members. We have made one arrest till now and others are on the run. Search is on for them.”

Along with Mhasudge, police had booked Datta Gulab Taras, the contractor who constructed the structure, Mahesh Tanaji Gade, the contractor who had rented the hoarding, the company that had rented the hoarding for advertisement and its office-bearers.

When asked whether the company that was advertising on the hoarding has been identified, DCP Dole said, “We are currently searching for suspect Gade who had rented the hoarding. After his arrest, we will get exact details of his transaction with the building and construction company that was using the hoarding for its advertisement.”

Officials said that the SIT comprises Inspector Shivaji Gaware of Ravet police station and Inspector Sanosh Patil from Wakad police station, their supporting staff and some police officials from Dehu Road police station.
Five persons including four women were killed and three others were seriously injured after the steel structure of the hoarding collapsed next to the service road of Katraj Dehu Road Bypass in Kiwale area near Pune on Monday evening.

The incident took place around 5.30 pm on the service road of the bypass of the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway. The probe has revealed that the hoarding was illegally constructed.