Palghar Hindu Sadhu Mob-Lynching : SC Agrees To Hear Pleas Seeking CBI Investigation

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear petitions seeking a CBI inquiry into the alleged lynching of three persons in Palghar district in April 2020, after learning that the Maharashtra government has agreed to the agency’s investigation.

A lawyer appearing for one of the petitioners informed a bench of Justices comprising of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala that the state government has also consented to a CBI investigation.

The lawyer stated it, noting that the case may be heard and disposed of on any Friday or Monday.

“We’ll list it,” the bench responded.

Previously, in a change of stance, the Maharashtra government had informed the Supreme Court that it was willing to turn over the probe into the alleged lynching of three individuals, including two seers, to the CBI.

The state government previously informed the Supreme Court that the Maharashtra Police had punished “delinquent” police officers for dereliction of duty in the alleged lynching event and sought that pleas seeking CBI investigation be dismissed.

The affidavit was filed in response to a slew of petitions, including one from Shri Panch Dashban Juna Akhara seers and victims’ relatives. Their plea claimed that the investigation by the state police was prejudiced. Advocates Shashank Shekhar Jha and Ghanshyam Upadhyay submitted the other petitions.

On the night of April 16, 2020, three people from Kandivali in Mumbai were travelling in a car to attend a funeral in Surat in Gujarat during the COVID-19-induced nationwide lockdown when their vehicle was stopped and they were attacked and allegedly killed by a mob in Gadchinchile village in the presence of police.

Chikne Maharaj Kalpavrukshagiri, Sushil Giri Maharaj and Nilesh Telgade who was driving the car, were identified as the victims.