NHRC notice to DGP , Maharashtra over mob lynching of three persons in police presence in Palghar District (21.04.2020)

New Delhi: 21st April,2020

Acting on a complaint, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC,India has issued a notice to the DGP, Maharashtra over mob lynching of three persons in the presence of police in Palghar District on the 16th April,2020. It has called for a detailed report within four weeks including action taken against the culprits and relief, if any, granted to the Next of Kin, NoK of the deceased persons.

Issuing the notice, the Commission has observed that the incident is apparently indicative of negligence by the public servants. The death of three persons in such a cruel manner by the unruly mob that too during countrywide lockdown, under extra vigil by the administration and police, amounts to gross violation of the right to life of the victims.

According to the complaint as well as the media reports, the victims, Sushil Giri and Kalpavriksh Giri, belonging to a sect of Sadhus, were going to attend a funeral when they along with the driver of their car were attacked by an unruly mob on suspicion that they were thieves. The video of the attack on the deceased persons went viral, on 19.04.2020, which showed that police personnel were also present when the victims were being attacked.