Kolhapur Police Arrest Structural Consultant in Rajkot Fort Statue Collapse
In a significant development, Kolhapur Police have apprehended Chetan Patil, the structural consultant responsible for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj bronze statue that collapsed at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Sindhudurg. The arrest comes after Patil had been evading capture since the incident on August 26, which has triggered widespread public outrage and political controversy.
Patil was apprehended late last night after a coordinated effort involving six probe teams from Kolhapur, Sindhudurg, and Thane Police. His mobile phone had been switched off, complicating the search. Patil has since been handed over to the Sindhudurg Police, who will take him to Malvan, where the incident occurred and the case has been registered.
The statue’s sculptor, Jaydeep Apte, remains at large. Apte, who constructed the 28-feet statue atop a 10-feet pedestal, had previously claimed that the statue, typically requiring up to three years for completion, was built in just three months.
The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has accused the MahaYuti government of corruption in the statue’s construction and is demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and others. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has issued a public apology for the tragedy. The MVA has intensified its protests across the state, including a recent scuffle between Shiv Sena (UBT)-BJP activists near Rajkot Fort, and plans to continue its agitation.
In response to the incident, the Indian Navy (IN) announced the formation of a joint technical committee with Maharashtra officials and technical experts to investigate the collapse, especially considering the adverse weather conditions on the day of the incident. The statue was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023, during Navy Day celebrations, and was a collaborative project between the IN and the state government.
The Indian Navy has committed to supporting efforts to repair, restore, and reinstate the statue promptly, reflecting the state government’s assurances.
