Bombay High Court dismisses Bhavesh Bhinde’s petition in hoarding collapse case

The Bombay High Court on Friday dismissed the petition filed by Bhavesh Bhinde, director of Ego Media Private Limited, seeking immediate release in the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case. A Division Bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande found no merit in the plea, calling his claim of illegal arrest a 'faux.' The hoarding collapsed on May 13 in Ghatkopar during heavy rains and storms, killing 15 people and injuring around 70.

Bhinde's advocate Rizwan Merchant argued that his client was held in illegal custody for a day after being arrested from Udaipur on May 16, and that the grounds of arrest were not furnished in writing as mandated by the Supreme Court. The petition also claimed the collapse was an 'act of God' due to unexpected wind speeds of up to 96 kmph, and that the hoarding had all requisite permissions. The public prosecutor countered that the police followed proper procedures, including independent witnesses on the arrest document, and that Bhinde was officially arrested on May 17 after being brought to Mumbai.

The court stated there was no legal infirmity in the arrest. Bhinde has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. A detailed copy of the order is awaited.