Ghatkopar hoarding crash: Probe to see if GRP-BMC ‘nexus’ existed

MUMBAI: Acting on suspicions of a “nexus” between officials in the Govt Railway Police (GRP) and BMC, investigators probing the reasons behind the Ghatkopar billboard collapse are likely to summon officials from the two agencies under whose jurisdiction the hoarding was erected. The giant hoarding which stretched 120x120sqft crashed on a petrol pump off the Eastern Express Highway at Ghatkopar on May 13 killing 17 people.

Highly placed sources in govt told TOI that a report into the billboard collapse indicates a "nexus" between two govt departments (BMC and GRP) and Bhavesh Bhinde, head of Ego Media Pvt Ltd, which had a contract to rent out three hoardings and maintain them.

The report says BMC, in April 2022, had sent a notice to the GRP on whose land the structure was erected, asking how hoardings were allowed without clearance from the civic body. GRP responded that railway police were covered by Railways-related laws and did not need BMC permission. There was no communication from BMC to GRP thereafter until May 2024 just weeks before the hoarding collapsed during a dust storm.

In the communication in May 2024, BMC asked GRP to revoke permission given to Ego Media and pull down the hoardings. Sources also said the GRP had approved an increase in the size of the hoarding (that collapsed) to 120X120 sq feet when BMC permits hoardings measuring up to 40X40 sq feet only.

SIT said they will summon concerned BMC officials in whose jurisdiction the hoarding was set up. "We want clarification from the BMC as to what did they do after learning that the owner of the land was state govt and not Railways. Why did the BMC not follow up further if they knew that civic laws would apply to the land and the GRP had illegally given a nod," said an SIT officer.

Denying any wrongdoing, a senior BMC official, "Right from April 2022, after the hoardings were set up, we followed up with GRP and made it clear that they were unauthorised. However, the GRP claimed that they came under the head of Railways. Besides, Bombay high court had ruled in favour of the Railways and rejected the jurisdiction of BMC over hoardings erected on Railways land. This prevented us from pursuing further action. In fact, we have pursued prosecution action against the petrol pump at the site for operating without necessary approvals."

The official added, "We have a limitation, while pursuing a matter with another gov agency. The GRP has a responsibility of its own. Why did the GRP not initiate any step to remove the hoardings when we wrote to them?"

During scrutiny of documents, it has emerged that then GRP city commissioner Khalid gave permission on Dec 17 , 2022 to Ego Media to erect a fourth hoarding despite being issued a transfer as Additional Director General, Protection of Civil Rights, on Dec 16. He did this before handing over charge to present incumbent Ravindra Shisve. Typically after receiving a transfer order, an officer is not supposed to take major decisions. An SIT officer said once they clarify things with inspector Shahaji Nikam, who holds charge as assistant commissioner (admin) with GRP, they will summon Khalid. Nikam had signed letters on behalf of Khalid's office.

When TOI tried to call Khalid, there was no response. Earlier, Khalid had told TOI that instead of focusing on how the hoarding collapsed and who was responsible, he was being unfairly targeted. He said he approved a change of contractor to ensure that the railway police welfare fund received more revenue.

Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya has alleged that Khalid illegally allowed extension of contract to Ego Media from 10 years to 30 years, approving the agency's justification that reinforcing and stabilising the hoarding’s existing structure and RCC foundation involved a high cost. Somaiya said Ego Media earned Rs 100 crore annually while giving only Rs 2.25 crore to the Maharashtra police welfare fund.