Police Probe Bhuleshwar Cha Raja Idol Collapse After 2 Killed in Procession

The LT Marg police have registered two Accidental Death Reports (ADRs) and launched an investigation following the collapse of the Bhuleshwar Cha Raja Ganesh idol during a procession on Sunday night in Mumbai, which resulted in the deaths of two mandal office-bearers.

As part of their inquiry, investigators questioned Aniket Desai, the sculptor who created the Bhuleshwar Cha Raja idol. Desai appeared before the LT Marg police at around 11 am on Tuesday morning to have his statement recorded.

Police officials stated that Desai had been unreachable immediately following the incident on Sunday. Officers subsequently visited his residence to serve a notice directing him to appear for questioning on Tuesday, as he was not present at home when the police arrived.

According to police sources, Desai operates a temporary workshop located at Bakri Adda, where he sculpted the idol based on the dimensions and specifications provided by the mandal. During questioning, the police learned that this project marked the first time Desai had undertaken the construction of a 22-foot-tall Ganesh idol. In the previous year, he had created a 19-foot idol for a mandal based in Kamathipura.

Investigators have widened their probe by speaking to several people connected to the event. To date, the LT Marg police have recorded the statements of approximately 15 to 20 individuals, including mandal office-bearers, volunteers, and eyewitnesses who attended the arrival ceremony.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal announced financial assistance to aid the Bhuleshwar mandal and the bereaved families. Sudhir Salvi, the honorary secretary of the Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal, confirmed that ₹11 lakh in financial support would be extended to the Bhuleshwar Cha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal. Furthermore, the families of the two deceased office-bearers will each receive ₹5 lakh in financial assistance.