Bengaluru: Coming down hard on the Maharashtra government for its shabby investigation in the Palghar lynching case, the top court asked for all copies of the charge sheets filed in the case, as also investigation details. 

The division bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and R Subhash Reddy asked the Maharashtra Police to explain what action had been taken against the police officials who have been said to have played a part in the lynching. The bench also asked the State government to file copies of the charge sheets in the case before the Court along with the details of the investigation conducted so far in the case, reports Republic TV. 

The government informed the court that 2 charge sheets have been filed and it will file a third one. The court has given it one week’s time to submit the copies. 

A note on Palghar lynchings: 

The incident took place on the night of April 16 when three men - two seers and their driver - were going from Mumbai in a car towards Surat in Gujarat to attend a funeral.

Their vehicle was stopped near a village in Palghar district where the three were dragged out of the car and beaten to death with sticks by a mob on suspicion that they were child-lifters.

The deceased were identified as Chikne Maharaj Kalpavrukshagiri (70), Sushilgiri Maharaj (35), and driver Nilesh Telgade(30).

The government had also suspended two policemen from Palghar for alleged dereliction of duty.

A petition was filed before the top court seeking a CBI inquiry into the issue. The petitioners had prayed before the they have no confidence in the Maharashtra government.

It was also sought by the petitioners that the NIA take over the probe to ensure evidence is not lost.