Palghar lynching: Three cops dismissed from service

MUMBAI: The three policemen suspended in connection with the April 16 Palghar lynching incident that killed three men, including two seers, have been dismissed from service.
The order of dismissing Kasa police station incharge at the time of the incident, Anandrao Kale, assistant sub-inspector Ravi Salunke and constable Naresh Dhodi was issued by the inspector general of police (IGP), Konkan Range on Saturday.
The three cops along with PSI Sudhir Katare and constable Santosh Mukhne were suspended by former district superintendent of police (SP) Gaurav Singh. Around 35 cops of the Kasa police station were transferred. Around 47 cops from other police stations in the district were moved overnight to Kasa police station. Singh, who was also sent on forced leave, has still not got his new posting.
Videos of the cops inaction in handling the lynching had prompted the suspension. The sadhus Chikne Maharaj Kalpvirkshagiri (70), Sushilgiri Maharaj (35) and their driver Nilesh Telgade (30) were lynched by a mob of over 1,000 tribals in Gadchinchale village of Kasa. Three FIRs were registered.
The state Crime Investigation Department (CID), that took over the probe from the local police last month, filed three chargesheets in the Dahanu sessions court. The case will now be heard in the Thane judicial magistrate court. The police had arrested 154 tribal men and 11 minors in the case. Of these, 10 men and nine minors have been released on ‘default bail’ as the CID failed to file a chargesheet against them.
The CID in its chargesheets had ruled out any religious angle and called it a case of rumour mongering of a child lifting gang on social media platforms. The accused have been charged with murder, attempt to murder, armed rioting and criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty, among other charges.