Sculptor Jaydeep Apte on the Run After Shivaji Statue Collapse

The Sindhudurg police have launched a manhunt for sculptor Jaydeep Apte following the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A joint technical committee inspected the site, and a Look Out Circular has been issued to prevent Apte from fleeing the country. The incident has led to political turmoil in Maharashtra.

The Sindhudurg police in Maharashtra have launched an extensive search for sculptor Jaydeep Apte, who was responsible for crafting the collapsed statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on Rajkot fort, officials announced on Wednesday.

A five-member technical committee visited the Malvan fort to scrutinize the collapse site. The statue, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Navy Day, collapsed on August 26, spurring police to issue a Look Out Circular to prevent Apte from leaving India. Teams have been dispatched across locations including Mumbai, Thane, and Kolhapur to track him down.

Apte's home in Thane's Kalyan town was found locked during police search operations. Following the collapse, authorities filed charges against Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil, the latter of whom has been arrested in Kolhapur. The incident has sparked political tensions ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, with opposition figures blaming the Eknath Shinde-led government.

(With inputs from agencies.)