The Bombay High Court has dismissed a petition for release filed by Bhavesh Bhinde, the director of Ego Media Private Limited, the advertising firm responsible for a giant hoarding that collapsed in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, during severe weather conditions on May 13. The incident resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals and injured approximately 70 others.
In his petition, Bhinde argued for his immediate release, claiming his arrest was unlawful. The court, comprising Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande, found no merit in his claims, stating, “We find no legal infirmity. The ground of illegal arrest and detention by the petitioner is nothing but a faux. There is no impairment in the procedure.” Thus, the petition was dismissed.
Bhinde’s attorney, Rizwan Merchant, contended that his client was held in illegal custody for a day. Bhinde was arrested in Udaipur on May 16 and was brought to Mumbai, where he was officially arrested on May 17. Merchant stated that Bhinde was not provided with written grounds for his arrest as required by the Supreme Court in a previous ruling, thus arguing that he was unlawfully detained for a full day.
The petition sought to quash the FIR against Bhinde, asserting that the hoarding’s collapse was due to an “act of God” rather than negligence. It cited an Indian Meteorological Department bulletin that failed to predict the severe dust storms and gusty winds that ultimately led to the collapse. The petition claimed that wind speeds reached up to 96 km/h, which should not be attributed to any fault in the hoarding’s construction, and emphasized that all necessary permits were obtained for its installation.
Bhinde has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the case.
In opposition to Bhinde’s claims, Public Prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar argued that law enforcement adhered to all procedural requirements during his arrest, including securing signatures from independent witnesses on the arrest documentation. He added that Bhinde was apprehended in Rajasthan on May 16 while allegedly attempting to conceal his identity to evade capture. Officially, he was arrested upon his arrival in Mumbai on May 17, and the necessary grounds for his arrest were communicated to him prior to his detention.
The detailed court order has not yet been made public. The case continues to draw attention due to the tragic loss of life and the legal implications surrounding the incident.
