Maharashtra govt orders CID probe into Palghar mob lynching case

The Maharashtra government on Monday ordered a probe by State-CID into last week's mob lynching case in Palghar district in which two sadhus and a driver were brutally killed.

So far, the police has arrested 110 persons including nine juveniles.

"No one will be spared," Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said.

The CID probe was announced hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Thackeray over phone.

Thackeray said that was also necessary to find out the people who are creating communal tension on social media. "I requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah . We will also find them out and take action against them," said Thackeray.

The victims were identified as Chikne Maharaj Kalpvirkshagiri (70) Sushilgiri Maharaj (30), both from Shree Panch Dashnam Juna Akhada, and driver Nilesh Telwade (30).

The Varanasi-based Juna Akhada is the highest order of saints in India.

"Investigation is handed over to CID. Inspector General of Konkan range is directed to enquire into police action. Two police officers are suspended," the Maharashtra police tweeted.

A huge mob of 150-plus, in the Gadchinchale village in the Palghar district, nearly 120 kms off downtown Mumbai, attacked the vehicle in which the victims were travelling form Nashik to Surat, on Thursday night, suspecting them to be thieves. Some policemen too were injured.

The Kasa police station has registered a case on Friday and oiln Saturday carried out the arrests.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called up Thackeray and demanded action against the culprits.

Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis said that seeing the visuals that have come out, Palghar incident of mob lynching is shocking and inhuman. "It is more disturbing especially when we are going through such tough times otherwise too".

Mumbai BJP General Secretary Amarjeet Mishra said that while the attack was taking place, police remained a mute spectator. "The government must go to the roots. The insensitive policemen must be dismissed," he said.

Meanwhile, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Secretary General Milind Parande said that that this ambush seems to be part of a deeper conspiracy, because many times in the past, there have been incidents of brutal violence inspired by "Leftists" in this area. "So the killers and their accomplices should be punished at the earliest after a high level investigation into their involvement in this brutal incident," he said.

"Activities of Leftists have been going on in Palghar these days on a high pitch. They also have a long history of killing Hindu leaders. Mob lynchings are part of the Left's own action plan. The country has not forgotten the heinous murder of Swami Lakshmananand ji Maharaj," he said.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) central committee member and AKIS President Ashok Dhawale tweeted: "Sambit Patra and Sunil Deodhar are not only communalising, but spreading downright lies. The Sarpanch of the Gadachinchle village where the mob lynching took place belongs to the BJP, her name is Chitra Choudhari. Many BJP men have been arrested for killing these sadhus.