The Mumbai Crime Branch has recommended a criminal inquiry under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act against suspended IPS officer Quaiser Khalid in connection with the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case. The Crime Branch has found serious lapses on his part and believes that accused Arshad Khan, who was arrested in the case, received more than Rs 1 crore from Ego Media—the firm responsible for the hoarding that collapsed last year, killing 17 people and injuring over 80. The recommendation has been made so that the home department can forward it to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for further action.

Khalid came under the Crime Branch’s scanner following the arrest of Khan, who is known to him and also a director in a company owned by Khalid’s wife. Khan had been absconding for several months before he was arrested from Uttar Pradesh on December 30.