Mumbai Hoarding Collapse: Death Toll At 14; Shiv Sena Claims Ad Agency Owner Associated With Uddhav Faction

Shiv Sena has claimed that Bhavesh Bhinde, the the owner of the advertising agency linked to Mumbai hoarding collapse, was associated with the rival Uddhav Thackeray camp even as the death toll in the incident climbed to 14 on Tuesday.

Mumbai Hoarding Collapse: Maharashtra’s ruling Shiv Sena faction has alleged that the owner of advertising agency linked to Mumbai hoarding tragedy, was associated with the rival Uddhav Thackeray camp even as the death toll in the incident climbed to fourteen on Tuesday.

Bhavesh Bhinde, the ad agency owner who is absconding since his company was linked to the 100-ft tall billboard which crashed on a petrol pump in suburban Ghatkopar on Monday evening, killing 14 people, is associated with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant alleged.

Samant also shared a picture of Bhinde alongside Uddhav Thackeray as “proof” of his claim, alleging that the Bhinde had previously exploited hoarding spaces by displaying poll campaigns and birth greetings of Sena (UBT) leaders.

“Initially assigned duties within the Sena (UBT), Bhinde was given the responsibility of installing hoardings in Mumbai. Exploiting his access to hoarding spaces allocated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhinde illicitly utilised them for (displaying greeting) for Sena (UBT)’s leaders’ birthdays and election campaigns,” Samant alleged.

Bhinde merely a ‘pawn’

Samant also claimed Bhinde was merely a “pawn” and the “true mastermind” behind the hoarding tragedy must be exposed.

“Bhavesh Bhinde wields considerable political influence. He’s merely a pawn, and it’s imperative to uncover the true owner and mastermind behind the hoardings. As many as 21 have been cases filed against Bhinde for erecting unauthorised hoardings and causing environmental damage,” Samant claimed.

Meanwhile, refuting the allegations, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut noted his party is not controlling the BMC for the last two and half years. It is the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP that controls the civic body through an administrator.

Mumbai hoarding tragedy

Notably, Bhavesh Bhinde owns Ego Media Pvt Ltd, the advertising agency which had allegedly put up the hoarding that collapsed on to a Ghatkopar petrol pump on Monday evening, killing 14 people and injuring dozens others.

A case has been registered against Bhinde for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code at the Pant Nagar police station after the hoarding tragedy.

At least 14 died people and 75 others were injured after the 120×120 feet hoarding collapsed on a petrol pump in Ghatkopar due to gusty winds and unseasonal rains. Civic officials have said the billboard was illegal.

(With PTI inputs)