Director Claims ‘Act of God’ in Fatal Hoarding Collapse

Bhavesh Bhinde, director of Ego Media Pvt. Ltd., petitioned the Bombay High Court to quash the FIR against him for the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse, which killed 17. Bhinde contends the incident was an ‘act of God’ due to unforeseen weather and seeks interim bail. The court directed the police to file an affidavit.

The Bombay High Court on Friday ordered the police to submit a detailed affidavit in response to the petition filed by Bhavesh Bhinde, director of advertising firm Ego Media Pvt. Ltd., arrested for the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case.

Bhinde, seeking the FIR against him to be quashed, claims the collapse that killed 17 people was an ‘act of God’ due to unforeseen weather and argues for interim bail. He faces charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha expressed concern over possible illegal arrest due to lack of a mandatory notice under section 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The court has slated the matter for further hearing on July 26 while public prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar has assured a detailed affidavit from the police.