Maharashtra: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the top police of Maharashtra in the Palghar lanching case in which three people, including two Hindu ascetics, were killed during a national convention allegedly in the presence of police on April 16, 2020. was.
A press release of the human rights body said on Tuesday that the Maharashtra DGP has been asked to submit a detailed report within four weeks which should include action against the culprits and the relief given to the kin of the victims.
The NHRC notice stated, “Three people died by an uncontrolled mob during the nationwide lockout, with extra vigilance by the administration and police, due to gross violation of the rights of life of the victims.”
The victims were identified as 70-year-old Kalpavriksh Giri, 35-year-old Sushil Giri – both Hindu monks – and their driver Nilesh Belgrade, who was last seen in Gadchancha village, 110 km from Palghar.
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The victims were reportedly attempting to travel to Gujarat to attend the funeral of their religious master but were attacked by a mob who mistook them for raising a child.
A video of the incident went viral on Sunday, with unarmed policemen watching the incident without any intervention.
The incident led to a political dispute with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with the Shiv Sena-led state government leading the state government for alleged negligence and handling the incident claiming that it was political because it involved Hindus Were.
The NHRC notice also cited media reports to question alleged police inaction.
NHRC communication on the matter said, “The video of the attack on the deceased persons went viral on 19.04.2020, which revealed that police personnel were also present when the victims were attacked.”
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Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has warned against communalization of the incident and has been supported by NCP chief Sharad Pawar who said that this is not the time to settle old political scores.
Uddhav said that prompt action was taken with the arrest of more than 100 suspects, including five key accused in the case. He said that two policemen were also removed from duty.
An investigation into the case has also been ordered by the Additional Director General (CID).
