Mumbai police summon MLA Vaibhav Naik over corruption claims in statue collapse

The recent collapse of the Shivaji Maharaj statue in Malwan has led to significant scrutiny and allegations of corruption. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Vaibhav Naik has received a police notice to assist in gathering evidence regarding his claims of corruption during the statue's construction. Naik has publicly stated that there have been ongoing allegations of corruption since the statue's inception, which he believes need to be thoroughly investigated. A government committee tasked with investigating the incident has submitted a report detailing critical structural issues that contributed to the statue's collapse. The report highlights internal corrosion, welding defects, and a weak frame as the main factors leading to the failure of the 33-foot-tall statue. These findings raise serious concerns about the construction standards and oversight during the statue's building process. In response to the incident, the state government has formed two committees: one to investigate the reasons behind the collapse and another to oversee the construction of a new statue. The new statue, which will be nearly twice the size of the original, is set to cost Rs20 crore, with a requirement for the construction company to ensure its durability for at least 100 years. Aaditya Thackeray has indicated that an investigation into the corruption allegations during the previous MVA government's tenure will be conducted, reflecting the government's commitment to accountability and transparency in public works projects.