Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse: Suspended IPS Officer Quaiser Khalid Summoned Over Corruption Allegations

Ghatkopar, Mumbai: In a major development related to the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse that claimed 17 lives, suspended IPS officer Quaiser Khalid has been summoned by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for questioning over a corruption complaint. The complaint, filed in May 2024, alleged that Khalid misused his position as the railway commissioner and defrauded a complainant of over Rs 37 lakh.

The complainant claims to have paid Rs 30 lakh in cash and funded Khalid's US trip with an additional $8,000 for a hoarding contract on railway premises in Dadar or Ghatkopar. Despite ongoing legal issues over the hoardings at Dadar Tilak Bridge, the complainant was allegedly promised a contract at a new location. Over a span of several months, payments were made to Khalid and his associates, including Rs 10 lakh directly to Khalid’s residence.

Furthermore, Khalid reportedly misused his personal trip to the US, requesting the complainant to provide accommodations and fund his purchases worth over $6,000, which was later allegedly adjusted with the promised hoarding contracts.

This controversy intensified with Khalid's involvement in directing payments to his family members in the US, which led the complainant to hand over more cash, despite expressing reluctance. The complaint sheds light on Khalid's alleged corruption and misuse of power in a case that holds wider implications, especially in light of the tragic hoarding collapse incident.

As the ACB investigates these claims, Khalid's role in the hoarding collapse case and potential connections to the contractors involved is under close scrutiny. The investigation into the corruption case could provide key insights into the broader network of malpractice.