Shivaji statue collapse: Absconding contractor-sculptor Jaydeep Apte arrested
Mumbai, Sept 4: Sculptor-contractor Jaydeep Apte, wanted in connection with the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot fort last month, was arrested from Kalyan in Thane district on Wednesday night, a senior police official said.
Sindhudurg police in Maharashtra were searching for Apte (24) since the statue made by him collapsed on August 26, less than nine months after it was inaugurated. Police had formed seven teams to look for him.
After the statue collapsed, Malvan police registered a case against Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil for negligence and other offences. Patil was arrested from Kolhapur last week.
The collapse of the statue of the iconic founder of the Maratha state has triggered a huge political row ahead of assembly elections in Maharashtra with the Opposition targeting the Eknath Shinde-led government.
Reacting to the development, BJP leader Pravin Darekar said, "Those who were critical of our government must shut their mouths now. It is true that police took a little long to arrest Jaydeep Apte. We are not taking any credit for arresting, but the police did their job."
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushama Andhare, on the other hand, said, "The state government should not try to take any credit for arresting Apte because it is the government's duty. He was not some underworld don....He should have been arrested sooner."
Meanwhile, a joint technical committee of five members visited the fort at Malvan during the day and examined the site, said an official.
Police has also sent samples of the materials used for the statue as well as the platform on which it stood to a forensic science laboratory for chemical analysis.
State Congress chief Nana Patole alleged in Pune that only Rs 1.5 crore were spent on the construction of the statue even though Rs 236 crore were taken for the work from the state coffers.
To chief minister Shinde's allegation that the opposition was politicising the statue collapse incident, Patole said venting anger against an insult to Shivaji Maharaj cannot be described as politicising the matter.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Belthangady: Khazi Shaikhuna Thwaka Ahmed Musliyar of Dakshina Kannada District handed over the keys of a renovated house to the family of the late Ramalan Azhari during a program organized by the Dakshina Kannada District Janiyyatul Muallimin on Thursday at Kajur Perdadi Ajmer Khaja Juma Masjid.
The event was presided over by District Janiyyatul Muallimeen President Shansuddin Darimi Pammale Madannur, with Secretary Muhammad Navi Mundole welcoming the attendees. Engineer Muhammad Twahir Bangerakatte was honored on the occasion for his commendable efforts in renovating the house.
District Janiyyatul Muallimin Vice President Ashraf Faizhi Belthangady, SKSBV District Convenor Ashraf Hanifi Karaya, Muhammadali Darimi Kukkaje, SKSSF East District Secretary Harris Kausar, District Muallimin Councilor Abdul Razak Madani Suratkal Range, Rafiq Darimi Moodabidri Range, Phaluluddin Musliar Mangaluru Range, Nisar Musliar Bantwala Range, KM Siddique Faizadi, Karajdi Range Secretary Abdul Aziz Ashshafi, Hamid Faizi Gurupura, and Belthangady Range teachers, members of the board of directors of Kajur Perdadi Ajmer Khaja Juma Masjid, and village leaders participated in the event.
