Mumbai: Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Thursday said that the rumours killed the two Sadhus and one driver in the Palghar lynching case and also slammed the opposition for giving the incident a 'religious colour'.
The CID, which was asked to investigate the Palghar lynching incident, has filed a charge sheet in the case on Thursday.
"Two sadhus and one driver were killed in the Palghar lynching case. The CID was asked to investigate the matter. It has filed a chargesheet in the court," he said.
Also Read: Temple looted in Maharashtra's Palghar; priests attacked
Pointing out that rumours led to the incident, Deshmukh added, "As per their probe, the incident took place due to rumours, like children being kidnapped from the place, among others. It was unfortunate that some political parties tried to give it a religious colour."
"As many as 808 people were enquired during the probe, of whom 154 have been arrested. The court will hear the matter", the minister said.
Also Read: Man kills woman, has sex with corpse in Maharashtra's Palghar
On that fateful night of April 16, the victims -- Kalpavrikshagiri Maharaj, 70, his assistant Sushilgiri Maharaj, 35, of the Juna Akhada, and their driver Nilesh Telgade, 30, waylaid when they were en route from Mumbai to Surat for a funeral during the lockdown.
Mistaking them to be robbers or kidnappers, a huge mob of tribals and villagers pounced on them with stones, sticks, sickles and the three later succumbed to the grievous injuries.
They examined a total of 808 suspects and 118 witnesses to collect strong evidence against the accused and make an air-tight case.
Till date, while 154 persons have been arrested, another 11 juveniles allegedly involved have been detained in the case, but nobody has been enlarged on bail till date.
(With inputs from ANI and IANS)
Also Read: BJP's attempt to politicize and communalize 'Palghar' is shameful: Surjewala
