Shivaji statue collapse case: Sculptor-contractor sent to police custody till Sep 10

NEW DELHI: In the Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse case, a Sindhudurg court on Thursday remanded the sculptor-contractor to police custody till September 10.

Jaydeep Apte, ex-JJ School of Art alumnus, who was booked for the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue, was arrested on Wednesday following attempts by family and friends to persuade him to surrender to the authorities.

Teams of Sindhudurg and Thane police were trying to locate the 39-year-old artist, who lives in Kalyan with a workshop close to his house.

Police sources said Apte's last known destination was when he and a friend left for Malvan 10 days back to visit the site where the statue was erected. Apte was arrested when he was coming back to meet his family.

A budding sculptor, Apte first made headlines in 2019 when he was commissioned by the UK-based Sikh Soldier Organisation to fashion a bronze bust of a Sikh soldier in honour of those who fought in the two World Wars in the British Army. It was unveiled in West Yorkshire. He also built a statuette of Mahatma Gandhi's son Manilal for the Dandi memorial in Gujarat.

Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.