Ravindra Shisve, the railway commissioner of police, and his predecessor, Quaiser Khalid, are blaming each other for granting permission for the 120x140-foot illegal hoarding that collapsed on May 13, killing 17. Their accusatory statements to the Crime Branch are part of the 3,299-page charge sheet submitted to the court earlier this month. mid-day has examined documents to ascertain whether Khalid had allowed the hoarding and how Shisve allegedly failed to prevent its construction and removal.

The statements of both top officers raise serious questions about their conduct. Khalid has already been suspended by the home department for gross irregularities and administrative lapses while Shisve, who took charge as railway commissioner on December 19, 2022, was asked to provide an explanation, which he did, but the director general of police’s (DGP) office has not yet responded to it, as per his statement.