Police launches manhunt for Ghatkopar billboard owner Bhavesh Bhinde
The police in Mumbai and Gujarat have launched a joint search operation for Bhavesh Bhinde, the director of Ego Media Pvt Ltd—the advertising agency that owns the billboard that collapsed in Mumbai killing 14 people and injuring 74 others. Bhinde's company had erected a 120x120-foot hoarding in Pant Nagar, Ghatkopar East. On May 13, a brief episode of unseasonal rain and strong winds caused the massive billboard to collapse onto a busy petrol pump, trapping nearly 100 people under it.
Bhinde's last known location and police efforts
According to Mumbai Police, Bhinde was last seen in Lonavala on Tuesday evening. Over 10 police teams are actively searching for him in various locations including Lonavala, Mumbai, Pune, several airports, and his hometown in Gujarat. Bhinde reportedly turned off his phone and left the city immediately after learning about the first death from the billboard collapse.
Legal proceedings initiated against Bhinde
The Pant Nagar police has registered a case against Bhinde under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. In addition to this case, there are two other cases registered against Bhinde in Mulund for rape and molestation, and cheating.
Bhinde fined 21 times for municipal violations
An officer at the Mulund police station said that, in addition to these incidents, Bhinde had been fined 21 times for various violations under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, prior to 2009. Bhinde also ran as an independent candidate in the Maharashtra assembly election from the Mulund constituency in 2009.
Investigation into billboard's size and ownership
Ego Media had previously applied to the Limca Book of Records to recognize their billboard as the largest commercial hoarding in India. The Mumbai police are now investigating whether the Government Railway Police (GRP), who own the land where the billboard was erected, specified its size during their agreement with Ego Media.
