Mumbai: A consultant involved in the structural design of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, which recently collapsed, has been arrested. The arrest follows days of protests by Opposition leaders demanding a thorough investigation into the incident.
Chetan Patil, the structural consultant for the statue that fell in Rajkot Fort, Malvan, Sindhudurg, was apprehended by Kolhapur Police on Thursday night.
Patil had been evading authorities since the incident occurred on Monday, triggering widespread public outrage and political unrest. The sculptor, Jaydeep Apte, remains at large.
At least six investigation teams from the Kolhapur, Sindhudurg, and Thane Police were searching for the duo, whose mobile phones had been switched off. However, Patil was apprehended last night.
The statue was unveiled on December 4 last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the Navy Day celebrations, held for the first time in Sindhudurg. The statue was intended to honor the legacy of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s contributions to maritime defense and security, and its historical connection to the modern Indian Navy.
A 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district collapsed on Monday afternoon. The statue had been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Navy Day in December 2023.
A joint technical committee, led by the Indian Navy and including representatives from the Maharashtra Government and technical experts, is being formed to investigate the incident.
The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has accused the ruling government of corruption in the construction of the statue and has called for the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
