Shivaji Statue Collapse: Project Consultant Arrested By Kolhapur Police

The collapse of a 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district has led to the arrest of Chetan Patil, a structural consultant involved in its design.

Patil's arrest, carried out by the Kolhapur Police on Thursday night, follows widespread public outrage and intense political pressure from opposition leaders demanding a thorough investigation into the incident.

The statue, which was unveiled on December 4, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Navy Day celebrations in Sindhudurg, was intended to honor the legacy of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's contributions to maritime defense.

The unveiling was a major event, marking the first time Navy Day celebrations were held in Sindhudurg, highlighting the historical connection between the Maratha Navy and the modern Indian Navy.

The collapse occurred on Monday afternoon at the Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Sindhudurg, triggering a massive outcry.

The incident quickly escalated into a political controversy, with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) accusing the ruling government of corruption in the statue's construction.

The MVA has called for the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, holding them accountable for the mishap.

Patil had been on the run since the statue's collapse, with his whereabouts unknown as multiple police teams from Kolhapur, Sindhudurg, and Thane were actively searching for him.

His arrest, however, marks a crucial development in the investigation. Meanwhile, Jaydeep Apte, the sculptor responsible for the statue, remains at large, with authorities intensifying their efforts to locate him.

In response to the incident, a joint technical committee headed by the Indian Navy is being formed to investigate the cause of the collapse.

This committee will include representatives from the Maharashtra Government and technical experts, underscoring the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the incident. The investigation aims to determine the technical flaws, if any, that led to the statue's collapse and to hold those responsible accountable.

The collapse of the statue, especially one with such significant cultural and historical importance, has deeply affected the public, and the political ramifications continue to unfold as the investigation progresses.