News Brief
Uddhav Refused To Transfer Palghar Sadhus Lynching Probe To CBI 'Under Pressure From Rahul Gandhi', Alleges Eknath Shinde-Led Shiv Sena
Nayan Dwivedi
Apr 13, 2024, 11:29 AM | Updated 11:29 AM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
In a recent revelation, the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, has brought forward allegations against the former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray regarding the Palghar mob lynching case of April 2020.
As reported by Deccan Herald, Thackeray obstructed the transfer of the case to the CBI under pressure from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The victims, two Sadhus from the Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara in Varanasi, along with their driver, were lynched in Gadchinchale village, Palghar district.
Initially handled by the Kasa police station, the case was later handed over to the State-CID.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena spokesperson Kiran Pawaskar asserted that Thackeray's administration displayed reluctance in transferring the case to the CBI.
“The murder was committed while Thackeray was sleeping, and the (then) Home Minister (Anil Deshmukh) was busy collecting money, leading to suspicions that the sadhus were murdered at the behest of the Maharashtra government. At that time, Thackeray had given a tepid response and had kept the investigation machinery idle. The government’s reluctance to hand over the Sadhu murder case to the CBI prevented a timely investigation,” he said.
“It was because of the Thackeray-led (Maha Vikas Aghadi) government's inaction that the Akhara leaders demanded the transfer of the case to the CBI. However, Thackeray's administration opposed transferring the case to the CBI,” he added.
“There's evidence suggesting that under pressure from Gandhi, Thackeray agreed not to transfer the case to the CBI,” said Pawaskar, DH reported.
Also Read: US Deploys Warships Over Expectations Of An Imminent Iranian Assault On Israel: Report
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Nayan Dwivedi is Staff Writer at Swarajya.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.