Businessman granted bail in Ghatkopar hoarding collapse

A Mumbai court has granted bail to businessman Arshad Khan, the fifth accused in the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse that killed 17 people on May 13, 2024. His bail request was initially denied in January. Khan is said to have received ₹84 lakh for acting as a mediator between Ego Media, the hoarding's owner, and Quaiser Khalid, a former Railway Police Commissioner who allowed the hoarding's construction. His lawyer argued that there was no solid evidence linking Khan to the hoarding collapse. Khan's name emerged during questioning of Jahnavi Marathe, the former director of Ego Media. Marathe alleged that the company had issued blank cheques to Khan after Khalid's approval. The police's chargesheet claims Khan encashed cheques through various family members' bank accounts. In his bail plea, Khan denied benefiting from the ₹84 lakh, stating the funds were for unrelated purposes. He also accused authorities of scapegoating him under political pressure. The court earlier noted signs of Khan’s involvement in the case, while four other accused have already been released on bail.