Palghar Sadhu Lynching

On April 16, 2020, in Gadchinchale village, Palghar district, Maharashtra, a mob of over 100 tribal villagers attacked a car carrying three men: Kalpavriksha Giri (70) and Sushil Giri (35), two monks from the Juna Akhara sect, and their driver Nilesh Telgade (30). Rumors spread on WhatsApp falsely claimed they were a child-kidnapping gang. Despite the presence of police personnel, the victims were dragged out and beaten to death with sticks and stones. Over 100 suspects were arrested. The case was transferred to the Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department. It sparked national outrage over mob violence, misinformation, and alleged lapses by local police.

As of 2025, the trial remains ongoing with over 100 accused charge-sheeted. Many of the arrested individuals were granted bail. The Maharashtra government informed the Supreme Court that charges had been framed and trial proceedings were underway, though progress has been slow. No final convictions have been secured yet.

Key controversies include the alleged delayed response and inaction by police at the scene, the role of WhatsApp-fueled rumors in triggering fatal mob violence, and political accusations between the state government and central authorities over the handling of the case. Questions were also raised about whether the attack targeted specific religious or caste identities, though investigators attributed it primarily to mistaken fear of child lifters.

The lynching triggered nationwide condemnation and intensified calls for a dedicated anti-lynching law in India. It fueled political polarization, with opposition parties accusing the state government of mishandling the law-and-order situation. The incident deepened public concern over the lethal consequences of social media rumors and communal tensions between tribal villagers and outsider groups, while also highlighting systemic failures in policing rural mob violence.