Structural Consultant Arrested in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Collapse Case

Chetan Patil, the structural consultant implicated in the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg, has been arrested. Patil, who denies involvement with the statue itself, claims his role was limited to the platform design. The incident has caused embarrassment to the state government and criticism from opposition parties.

Chetan Patil, the structural consultant named in the FIR regarding the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district, has been apprehended by law enforcement from Kolhapur, police sources confirmed on Friday.

Patil was taken into custody late Thursday night and subsequently transferred to the Sindhudurg police for further investigation, as stated by Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit.

Previously, Patil had asserted his non-involvement in the statue's construction, stating his work was limited to designing the platform. The statue, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December last year, collapsed on Monday, leading to significant political backlash and embarrassment for the state government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

(With inputs from agencies.)