• Who Approved the Killer Hoarding?
• Ghatkopar Disaster: The Untold Truth!
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
In a major development in the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case that claimed 17 lives on May 13, 2024, the Sessions Court on Thursday granted bail to businessman Arshad Khan, the fifth accused in the case. Khan, who allegedly received ₹84 lakh in connection with the hoarding, had earlier faced rejection of his bail plea.
Meanwhile, the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) has unearthed alarming details, exposing severe lapses in the approval process of the massive illegal hoarding that led to this catastrophic incident.
• Negligence and Manipulation Exposed
On the fateful day of May 13, strong winds caused a 120’ x 140’ (both sides) hoarding—covering an area of 33,600 sq. ft.—to collapse near a BPCL petrol pump in Ghatkopar. Investigations revealed that this gigantic structure was in blatant violation of hoarding size regulations, which typically cap such installations between 80 and 200 sq. ft. for petrol pumps.
The Sprouts News team has accessed crucial documents that show the hoarding was approved despite repeated objections from BPCL, raising serious concerns about official complicity in the matter.
• Who Approved This Hazardous Hoarding?
During the tenure of Khalid Quaiser as Commissioner of Police (Railway-GRP) from February 16, 2021, to December 19, 2022, no approval was granted for such an oversized hoarding. Documents reveal that:
– The only sanctioned digital hoarding complied with BPCL’s August 13, 2021, guidelines, which strictly limited its size to 200 sq. ft.
– Quaiser’s last recorded action was approving the shifting of a BPCL logo pole on December 19, 2022, his last day in office.
– The approval for the massive 33,600 sq. ft. hoarding was granted on February 7, 2023, after Quaiser had left office, under his successor Ravindra Shishwe.
Despite these facts, Quaiser’s name has been linked to the hoarding’s approval, raising suspicions of an attempt to divert blame.
• Ignored Warnings and a Potential Cover-Up
Documents accessed by the Sprouts News SIT reveal that BPCL had raised multiple objections regarding the unsafe nature of the hoarding. However, these warnings were ignored by the concerned authorities. Experts say the structure was neither adequately reinforced nor designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, making it a time bomb waiting to explode.
A senior official speaking to Sprouts News on condition of anonymity stated,
There is a clear attempt to mislead the investigation. The size of the hoarding was never finalized during Quaiser’s tenure. The approval came later, yet the blame is being shifted. Why aren’t the real decision-makers being held accountable?”*
This revelation has sparked demands for a deeper probe into the approvals and financial dealings linked to the hoarding.
• The Fight for Justice Continues
With public outrage mounting, legal experts consulted by Sprouts News suggest that criminal negligence charges should be pursued against those responsible. However, with the bail granted to Arshad Khan, concerns are growing that powerful individuals involved in this case may evade justice.
Meanwhile, families of the 17 victims continue to demand accountability. The Sprouts SIT investigation is ongoing, and the team remains committed to exposing the truth behind this devastating tragedy.
Also Read: Delhi High Court Rejects Adani’s Petition
• Objections Raised Against the Hoarding
Multiple objections were raised by Mr. Kirit Somayya, local Corporator Mrs. Jadhav, the Republican Party, and BPCL, drawing attention to the illegality of a hoarding and its collapse in Pune during 2023-2024. These objections were brought before Mr. Shiswe regarding the removal of the hoarding, ultimately leading to the BMC’s order for its removal.
• Negligence and Consequences
However, Mr. Shiswe ignored all these warnings and continued to protect the illegal structure, which eventually collapsed, causing massive loss of life and property.
• Ongoing Concerns and Suspicion
Despite this, Mr. Shiswe continues to serve as the Commissioner of Police (Railways), raising suspicions about his political connections and concerns regarding the possible manipulation of records and witnesses.
