Ghatkopar hoarding collapse: Alleged roles of arrested suspects

Sagar Kumbhar and Janhavi Marathe

The police have detailed the alleged roles of Janhavi Marathe and Sagar Kumbhar alias Sagar Patil, the two individuals arrested from Goa on Saturday in connection with the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case.

Janhavi Marathe, according to police reports, was deeply involved in setting up the hoarding and purportedly benefited financially, receiving Rs 28.57 lakh during her tenure. It's claimed she even purchased a Mercedes, with EMI payments made by Ego Media. Testifying in court, the police said, "Marathe served as the director of Ego Media Pvt Ltd from September 2016 to December 2023. She was instrumental in the tender process and the illicit hoarding; numerous letters bear her signature."

The police disclosed that Marathe had corresponded extensively with the GRP headquarters, advocating for Ego Media to secure the tender. One such letter purportedly stated that the railway department would profit if Ego Media obtained the tender. "On September 9, 2021, she urged the GRP to approve her company's tender for the railway department's benefit," police added.

Marathe also purportedly claimed that if the GRP permitted 80x80 feet hoarding, the railway department would see a revenue increase of 400 per cent. "On May 7, 2021, she wrote to the GRP, suggesting that installing a hoarding near the BPCL petrol pump would generate substantial revenue," the police explained.

Sagar Kumbhar, the other accused arrested by the police, identified as the contractor, allegedly constructed the defective hoarding. "The foundation of the illegal hoarding was flawed, and Kumbhar was responsible for its construction," police said.

Advocate Shahrukh Shaikh, representing Marathe, refuted her involvement in the hoarding, attributing its collapse to unfortunate circumstances.

Earlier, the SIT had arrested Bhavesh Bhinde, director of Ego Media, and Manoj Sanghu. The Crime Branch sought a 14-day custody for Marathe and Patil, with the Esplanade court granting police custody until June 15.