The Supreme Court sought status report from Maharashtra Government regarding probe in lynching and consequent death of two Sadhus in Palghar.
A Bench of Js. Ashok Bhushan and Js Sanjiv Khanna today directed the Govt to file status report while hearing the petition filed by Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha alleged that the said event was pre-planned and there could be police involvement as well.
The petitioner stated that according the media reports two Sadhu’s car was stopped by a mob of over 200 people while they were passing from Gadhchinchale Village, Kosa, Palghar, Maharashtra. After stopping the car, mob first pushed the car upside down and started pelting stones thereafter and killed the Sadhus.
The petition sought Court monitored investigation and transfer of case to CBI alleging that police was complicit in killing of two saints.
Petitioner cited media reports to suggest that there was breakdown of law and order as police were complicit and administration did nothing to prevent the horrific incident.
Petitioner alleged, “Media reports show that police was complicit in it. They did not use available power to stop this. It shows failure of administration during lockdown.”
Petitioner raised questions on how police allowed such a crowd to assemble in first place as it is in violation of lockdown rules.
On April 16, two saints travelling from Mumbai to Surat were stopped in their car by 200 people. Then the mob resorted to upturn their car and pelt stones, eventually resulting in death of saints.
The Supreme Court has asked the Petitioner to serve copy of the petition to State of Maharashtra and listed the matter after 4 weeks.
-India Legal Bureau