Mumbai: In a significant development in the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case, the Mumbai Crime Branch on Monday, December 30, arrested Mohammed Arshad Nizamuddin Khan (43), a businessman from Govandi, Mumbai. Khan was apprehended in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹84 lakh from Ego Media Private Limited. He was produced before the court, which granted police custody until January 4, 2025.
According to police officials, the arrest of Khan, who had been absconding for the past seven months, is expected to shed light on financial transactions related to the hoarding incident.
The tragic incident occurred on May 13, when a massive hoarding measuring 120x140 feet, owned by Ego Media, collapsed on a petrol pump at the Ghatkopar Ramabai Highway due to strong winds. The collapse claimed 17 lives and injured over 70 people.
Previously, four individuals had been arrested in the case:
Bhavesh Bhinde, director of Ego Media Company
Janhavi Marathe, former director of Ego Media
Sagar Patil, responsible for hoarding maintenance
Manoj Sanghu, a certified structural engineer
Khan, the fifth accused, is reportedly a business partner of Sumna Khalid, the wife of suspended Additional Director-General of Police Qaiser Khalid. During Qaiser Khalid’s tenure, Ego Media received permission to erect the hoarding.
In August, the court rejected Khan’s anticipatory bail plea, stating, “Prima facie, it seems that Khan and Sumna Khalid, during whose tenure Ego Media was granted permission to erect the hoarding, are partners in a firm, Mahpara Lucknowi Garments.”
The police continue their investigation into the case, focusing on uncovering all financial and administrative irregularities.
