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The collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue at the Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Maharashtra, has sparked a major controversy and led to the arrest of the sculptor-contractor responsible for its creation. Jaydeep Apte, a 24-year-old Thane-based sculptor, was apprehended by the Maharashtra police on Wednesday night, nearly 10 days after an FIR was filed against him. Apte had been missing since the statue's collapse on August 26, 2023, almost nine months after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Apte's arrest comes after a thorough investigation by the Sindhudurg police, who formed seven teams to track him down. The police had issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) to prevent him from leaving the country. A joint technical committee of five members also visited the fort to examine the site of the collapse. The investigation revealed that Apte, who reportedly owned an art company in Kalyan, had no prior experience in constructing large statues.
The incident has caused widespread outrage in Maharashtra, with opposition parties demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The collapse has been attributed to poor quality construction, with the state public works department citing rusted nuts and bolts as a contributing factor. The Indian Navy, which had spearheaded the project in coordination with the state government, has also come under fire for its alleged haste in completing the statue before its scheduled inauguration on Navy Day last year.
The incident has ignited a political storm, with the opposition accusing the ruling government of negligence and incompetence. The controversy has also raised concerns about the quality of public infrastructure projects in India. The arrest of Jaydeep Apte marks a significant development in the investigation, but it remains to be seen whether it will satisfy the public's demand for accountability and justice for the perceived insult to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Source: Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse: Who is sculptor Jaydeep Apte? How was he arrested?