Palghar Mob Lynching | Petitioners Tell Supreme Court That Matter Can Be Disposed Of As Maharashtra Government Agreed To CBI Enquiry

In the plea seeking CBI enquiry in the Palghar mob lynching matter, the petitioners informed the Supreme Court that since the Maharashtra government had agreed to CBI enquiry in the matter, the plea could be disposed of. The bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice JB Pardiwala stated that the matter will be listed. 

The counsel for petitioner, while mentioning the matter, said–

"We had filed this for CBI enquiry in Palghar killings. State has also filed an affidavit agreeing for CBI enquiry. According to us it can be disposed on Friday or Monday."

Accordingly, the bench stated that it would list the matter. 

Two Hindu seers namely, Maharaj Kalpavriksha Giri @ Chikna Baba and Shri Sushil Giri Maharaj were lynched to death by a frenzied mob in April 2020 in Palghar.

The two seers were travelling from Mumbai to Surat when their car was stopped by a mob of over 200 people. This mob then proceeded to upturn the car and pelt stones, eventually resulting in the death of both seers as well as the driver of the car.

In June 2020, Hindu Sadhus of Shri Panch Dashban Juna Akhara and relatives of the two deceased Sadhu's had moved the Supreme Court alleging bias by the State authorities currently investigating the matter.

They sought CBI/ NIA probe in the matter and accordingly, notices were issued to Maharashtra government, Maharashtra DGP, Central Government, NIA and CBI.

Significantly, the Maharashtra government had earlier opposed the plea and had filed the chargesheets in the matter on August 28, 2020. It had also taken action against the errant police personnel through departmental enquiry.

Changing its stance, the office of DGP Mumbai in an affidavit dated October 11 2022 said,

"The State of Maharashtra is ready and willing to hand over the investigation in C.R. No. 76/2020 and C.R. No. 77/2020 to the CBI and would have no objection for the same."