808 suspects, 118 witnesses interviewed to collect evidence against the accused: CID (Representative)
Palghar:
Maharashtra’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) laid charges in court against 126 defendants in the Palghar lynching case, in which two monks and their driver were beaten to death by a crowd exactly three years ago. month.
The CID has filed the 4,955-page indictment before the First Class Judicial Court (JMFC) in Dahanu Taluka in the Palghar district near Mumbai, the agency said.
The incident investigation team examined 808 suspects and 118 witnesses to gather solid evidence against the accused, the CID said in a statement.
A total of 154 people were arrested and 11 minors in conflict with the law were arrested. None of the accused has so far been released on bail, the statement said.
“The charges were laid by Deputy Police Superintendent (CID) Vijay Pawar, the investigating officer in this case, at the JMFC court in Dahanu against 126 defendants,” said the statement.
In addition to IPC articles, the accused were charged under the relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, the Epidemic Diseases Act (since the foreclosure was in effect during the incident), the Maharashtra Police Act and the Maharashtra Damage to Public Property (Prevention) Act says liberation.
They have been charged with murder, armed riots and the use of criminal force to prevent an official from doing his duty, among other offenses.
“Since there is sufficient evidence against two minors in conflict with the law, separate proceedings against them are pending before the Juvenile Justice Council,” said the report, adding that further investigation was underway.
The large document is being examined by court officials, said an official with the IDC.
Once the review is complete, charges will be laid against the accused by the court, said the official.
Two monks and their driver were lynched by a crowd in the district village of Gadchinchale on April 16 as they drove to Surat to attend a funeral amidst coronavirus isolation , announced the police.
The brutal attack by the crowd took place amid rumors that child elevators were wandering around the area during the lockdown, they said.
The matter was then turned over to CID for investigation.
Renowned lawyer Satish Maneshinde has been appointed as the special prosecutor in this case.
The victims were identified by the police as Chikne Maharaj Kalpavrukshagiri (70), Sushil Giri Maharaj (35) and their driver Nilesh Telgade (30).
After the incident sparked an outcry, the state government suspended the Kasa police station, Anandrao Kale, under whose jurisdiction the crime was committed, and certain other police officers, including sub-inspectors.
In addition, more than 35 police officers and personnel of other ranks were transferred following the attack on the crowd.
The government also sent Palghar district police chief Gaurav Singh on forced leave and replaced him with Dattatraya Shinde.
A total of three FIRs related to murders, armed riots and other charges were recorded in connection with the incident.
The Dahanu court rejected the bail request of 25 defendants arrested in the case.
