Two Dead as 22-Foot Bhuleshwar Cha Raja Idol Collapses During Procession
Two people were killed and five others sustained injuries after a 22-foot-tall idol of Bhuleshwar Cha Raja collapsed during its arrival procession in Bhuleshwar on Saturday evening. A preliminary police investigation has pointed to a potential technical failure in the support system holding the massive structure.
The incident took place while the idol was being transported from a Ganesh idol workshop located in Byculla towards its pandal in Bhuleshwar. The procession was nearing its final destination, with the idol positioned roughly 50 to 100 feet away from the pandal, when it suddenly detached from a crane and crashed down.
The two deceased have been identified as Sanket Nevshe, the president of the Bhuleshwar Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, and Brijesh Joshi, an office-bearer of the mandal. Among the five injured individuals are two young girls.
According to preliminary findings from investigators, an essential nut-bolt within the support mechanism holding the idol reportedly loosened while the structure was being moved with the assistance of the crane. The resulting sudden increase in pressure on the remaining support system is suspected to have caused the nut-bolt to fully dislodge, leading the 22-foot idol to lose its balance and crash onto the street.
Police officials have emphasised that these findings are part of a preliminary assessment and that the conclusive cause of the collapse will be confirmed only after a comprehensive technical investigation is completed.
The V.P. Road Police have initiated a legal inquiry into the incident and have begun the formal process of registering an Accidental Death Report (ADR). As part of the ongoing probe, investigators are examining the load capacity of the crane, the condition of its cables, the idol's support framework, and all safety arrangements deployed during the transportation.
Authorities are also assessing whether standard safety protocols were followed during the procession and whether technical or operational negligence played a role in the collapse. Police officials have stated that if any negligence or technical lapses are identified during the probe, those responsible will face appropriate legal action under relevant provisions of the law.
