Shivaji statue collapse: Sculptor’s custody extended till September 13

NAVI MUMBAI: A Malvan court has extended police remand of sculptor Jaydeep Apte till Sept 13 and sent structural consultant Chetan Patil to judicial custody in connection with the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue at Rajkot fort on Aug 26.

The probe has been handed over to a deputy SP rank officer, and technical help has been sought to ascertain the statue's quality and strength. A police officer said, "Help of (relevant) agencies has been sought as part of our probe. However, we will not reveal the details. The Navy's clearance is also under scanner."

Meanwhile, former MLC Parshuram Uparkar alleged that Apte was not given enough time to erect a 12-foot-high pedestal and a 28-foot-high statue of Shivaji Maharaj. The Navy awarded the work to Apte's company Artistry in Sept 2023. "The work was executed in just around two months," Uparkar said.