Sculptor Arrested Amid Political Row Over Shivaji Statue Collapse

Jaydeep Apte, a sculptor, was arrested for his role in the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Rajkot. The incident sparked a political debate in Maharashtra. Police are also investigating structural consultant Chetan Patil. Politicians across parties are leveraging the incident ahead of local elections.

Sculptor-contractor Jaydeep Apte, sought after the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot fort, was apprehended in Kalyan, Thane district, Wednesday night, according to a senior police official.

Sindhudurg police had been searching for Apte, 24, since the statue's collapse on August 26, just nine months post its inauguration. Authorities formed seven teams in the intensive search.

Following the collapse, Malvan police charged Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil with negligence. Patil was detained in Kolhapur last week. The statue's fall has escalated into a major political controversy targeting Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's administration amid upcoming assembly elections.

Reacting to recent events, BJP leader Pravin Darekar asserted that critics of the government should be silenced now that Apte is arrested, although he acknowledged delays in the process. Sushama Andhare of Shiv Sena (UBT) stressed the arrest fulfills governmental duty, criticizing the slow leadup. A technical committee is examining the Malvan site, while materials used are analyzed forensically.

State Congress head Nana Patole accused the administration of financial misconduct, claiming only Rs 1.5 crore out of Rs 236 crore allocated were used for the statue. Chief Minister Shinde dismissed allegations of politicizing, framing the issue as honor-related anger.

(With inputs from agencies.)