Mumbai: Maharashtra Suspends Senior IPS Officer Quaiser Khalid Over Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse

Mumbai, 25th June 2024: Senior IPS officer Quaiser Khalid was suspended by the state home department on Tuesday in connection with the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case, which resulted in the death of 17 people and injuries to several others, according to official sources.

Quaiser Khalid, a 1997 batch IPS officer, was suspended by the state home department following an order based on a report submitted by the Director General of Police on May 21st.

The report highlighted serious irregularities and administrative failures in approving the hoarding during Khalid’s tenure as Commissioner of Railway Police, Mumbai.

The detailed order issued by the home department stated, “A preliminary inquiry into the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident on May 13, 2024, which was erected on Railway Police Land, resulting in the deaths of 17 people, found gross irregularities and administrative lapses as per the report submitted by the Director General of Police, Maharashtra State, dated May 21, 2024.”

“The Government of Maharashtra has decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Shri. Md. Quaiser Khalid, IPS (MH: 1997), Additional Director General of PCR, Maharashtra State, and former CP, Railways, Mumbai, for administrative lapses and irregularities in approving the hoarding without the necessary approvals from the DGP office. The misuse of authority was evident in allowing a hoarding of size 120 X 140 sq ft, which deviated from approved norms, as mentioned in the Director General of Police’s report.”

Khalid’s suspension under the All India Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, was deemed necessary by the Government of Maharashtra, which stated, “In exercise of the power conferred under sub-rule (1) of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, the Government of Maharashtra hereby places the said Md. Quaiser Khalid, IPS (MH: 1997), Additional Director General of PCR, Maharashtra State, under suspension with immediate effect from the date of this order, until further notice.”

The home department’s order also outlined that during his suspension, Khalid would receive a subsistence allowance, dearness allowance, and other admissible allowances under Rule 4 of All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, upon certification that he is not engaged in any other employment, business, profession, or vocation.

The order further stipulated that Khalid must remain at the DGP office during his suspension period and seek permission before leaving headquarters.

Sources revealed that an internal probe by the DGP office had been ongoing before the hoarding collapse, uncovering that Khalid had approved Ego Media hoardings on his last day in office without DGP office permission or issuing tenders. The collapse occurred due to adverse weather conditions on May 13, prompting a show-cause notice from the DGP office to Khalid.

The Mumbai Crime Branch’s SIT is investigating Khalid’s actions and is expected to record his statement once procedural formalities are completed. Khalid has not yet been summoned by the SIT.

The SIT’s findings revealed that despite knowing the land belonged to the state government and that BMC was the licensing authority, Khalid approved the hoarding based on an application from Ego Media director Bhavesh Bhinde, who has since been arrested by the crime branch. It was also discovered that Khalid approved a hoarding size of 120×140 sq ft, which exceeded BMC regulations and contributed to its collapse during adverse weather conditions on May 13.