Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Collapse Case: Arrest Made

Authorities have made the first arrest in the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse case in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra. The incident has sparked political controversy and criticism of the state government. Investigations are ongoing, with debates arising over project oversight and responsibility for the statue's construction and maintenance.

 In a major breakthrough, police have arrested the first suspect in connection with the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district. Chetan Patil, a structural consultant who has been named in the FIR, was arrested in Kolhapur late Thursday night and was later handed over to the Sindhudurg police for further questioning. 

 The accident which happened on Monday afternoon involved the 35-foot statue of the legendary 17th-century Maratha warrior king at Rajkot Fort in Malvan tehsil. The statue was installed and unveiled by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi only the last year on the occasion of Navy Day on December 4. 

 Patil, a resident of Kolhapur, had earlier tried to avoid direct participation in the construction of the statue. In a media interview, he said that he was only responsible for designing the platform and the statue was made by a Thane-based company. Still, Patil becomes an accused in the ongoing investigation as per the claim made by the company. 

Also Read: Contractor and Consultant Face Legal Action Over Collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue

 It has raised political issues and the opposition parties have blamed the Eknath Shinde led state government for the same. It is seen as an embarrassment to the administration and people are demanding for heads to roll. Chief Minister Shinde also pointed out that the Indian Navy was involved in the designing and construction of the statue. 

 Political leaders have waded into the matter with state Congress chief Nana Patole accusing the sculptor of having links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This claim was made in response to the statement made by Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar who accused the sculptor of having links with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. 

 The Indian Navy has clarified that it was the brain behind the project and the implementation was done in collaboration with the state government which was the source of funding. As probes go on, the failure has brought back discussions on project supervision and political accountability in Maharashtra.