Bhavesh Bhinde, the prime accused in the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse, after blaming God for the tragedy that claimed 17 lives, is now pointing a finger at politicians. He claimed the crime branch had arrested him due to political pressure linked to the Lok Sabha election.

Bhinde on Thursday filed a bail application before the sessions court claiming that he had been made a scapegoat by politicians to pacify the public in the wake of the May 13 hoarding collapse. In his application, he also alleged that he had been arrested by the Crime Branch due to political pressure linked to the Lok Sabha elections that were taking place at the time. Bhinde had earlier filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court challenging his arrest, claiming that the tragedy was an act of God but it was rejected, with the court observing that his arrest was legal and justified. He has now moved a regular bail plea before the session’s court.