Palghar Lynching | Supreme Court To Hear Plea Seeking CBI Enquiry On 14th April 2023

The Supreme Court has listed on 14th April 2023, the plea seeking CBI enquiry in the Palghar mob lynching matter. The bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice JB Pardiwala heard the matter.

At the outset, the petitioner informed the bench that a new affidavit had been filed by the State of Maharashtra stating that they would have a CBI enquiry. It is to be noted that 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."

In today's hearings, CJI DY Chandrachud orally remarked–

"Ultimately, CBI can do it. Why should we pass an order?"

However, the bench ultimately decided to hear the plea and listed it for 14th April 2023.

Background

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.

Case Title: Mahant Sidhanand Saraswati And Ors. v. State of Maharashtra And Ors. WP(Crl) No. 146/2020