Sculptor Jaydeep Apte has not been located since the Shivaji statue collapse
The sculptor Jaydeep Apte, who created the 35-foot-tall figure of Chhatrapati shivaji Maharaj at rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg's Malvan, is still wanted. The monument, which prime minister Narendra Modi unveiled at indian Navy Day festivities in december of last year, fell on august 26. This sparked a political uproar and accusations of corruption against the Mahayuti government, which is currently in power.
Who is Jaydeep Apte?
The 24-year-old kalyan sculptor Jaydeep Apte is gone and cannot be located. The shivaji Maharaj statue was made by Apte, a Kalyan-based art studio owner without any prior expertise in creating such a massive monument. Before the shivaji statue, Jaydeep Apte had said that the biggest statue he had ever sculpted was about two feet tall. Many are questioning how Apte, who had no prior expertise building such a large tower, was given such a big contract.
Political accusations and allegations
Opposition leaders have accused the Mahayuti government of shielding Apte. "Chief minister Shinde had given the job of erecting the shivaji statue to Jaideep Apte of Kalyan, an acquaintance of his son Shrikant Shinde," posted Saamana, the mouthpiece of the shiv sena (Uddhav balasaheb Thackeray). Apte is a young man, just twenty-four. He had never created a statue this size before. It is being questioned if he was given the job even after that."
Apte may be hiding at the Chief Minister's official mansion, Varsha, according to Sanjay Raut's concerns. He remarked, "There is doubt in people's minds whether Jaydeep Apte is hiding at CM's official residence, Varsha."
President of the maharashtra Congress Nana Patole joined the chorus calling for the resignations of rashmi Shukla, the maharashtra DGP, and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Apte may be hiding at the Chief Minister's official mansion, Varsha, according to Sanjay Raut's concerns. He remarked, "There is doubt in people's minds whether Jaydeep Apte is hiding at CM's official residence, Varsha."
President of the maharashtra Congress Nana Patole joined the chorus calling for the resignations of rashmi Shukla, the maharashtra DGP, and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Police trying to locate Apte
To find Apte, senior officials from other districts have joined forces with seven squads of the Malvan police. One structural consultant involved in the monument project, chetan Patil, has already been taken into custody. But Apte is still elusive.