The Mumbai Crime Branch’s Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case, has arrested Arshad Khan, a wanted accused who had been absconding for the past six months. Khan’s anticipatory bail application was being heard in the Bombay High Court but he was never granted relief. The SIT apprehended Khan in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, late on Sunday evening. He was produced in court on Monday and remanded to the crime branch’s custody until Saturday for further investigation.

According to the Crime Branch, EGO Media, the company accused in the case, made a substantial payment to Arshad Khan to secure the contract for a 120x140 hoarding in Ghatkopar. The hoarding collapsed on May 13, killing 17 people and injuring over 80. The SIT revealed that the payment was made by EGO Media’s director following instructions allegedly given by former GRP commissioner Quaiser Khalid.