An FIR has been registered against contractor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil in connection with the collapse of the 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg. The incident, which occurred on Monday, has led to charges under sections 109, 110, 125, 318, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as confirmed by the local police.
Authorities are deeply concerned about the damage to the statue, which was unveiled just last December on Navy Day as a tribute to the people of Sindhudurg. The Indian Navy, in coordination with state officials and specialists, has promptly dispatched a team to investigate the cause of the collapse. Plans are in place to repair and restore the statue as soon as possible.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his sorrow over the incident, describing it as "unfortunate." He emphasized that strong winds, reaching speeds of approximately 45 km/h, caused the statue to fall and sustain damage. The government is determined to uncover the exact reasons behind this mishap and ensure the statue is reinstalled at the same location. Public Works Department (PWD) officials, along with Navy representatives, are scheduled to visit the site to conduct a thorough investigation.
The statue, originally unveiled at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2023, was designed by the Navy. Its collapse has sparked demands for accountability. A political leader has called for blacklisting the contractor responsible for the statue's construction and for an investigation into the poor quality of the work.
Another politician has also criticized the timing and manner of the statue's inauguration, suggesting it may have been hastily done with upcoming elections in mind, which he believes could have led to the issues faced now.
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