Dhule lynching: 7 sentenced to life, 28 acquitted for killing nomadic men over suspicion of child kidnapping

Five men belonging to the Nath Panthi Davari Gosavi nomadic community were lynched in Dhule over rumours on social media.

Accused of Dhule lynching case produced in district court in Sakri. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)

Accused of Dhule lynching case produced in district court in Sakri in 2018. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)

A sessions court in Maharashtra’s Dhule district on Monday sentenced seven men to life imprisonment for lynching five men belonging to the nomadic community Nath Panthi Davari Gosavi over rumours on social media about child kidnappers in 2018.

While 35 people were booked in the case, the court did not find evidence against 28 and acquitted them. The other seven men were found guilty of charges of murder, unlawful assembly, assault and use of criminal force on a public servant performing public duty under the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. They were also directed to pay a fine of Rs 10,000.

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Those convicted have been identified as Maharu Pawar, Dashrath Pimpalse, Hiralal Gawli, Gulab Padvi, Yuvraj Chaure, Motilal Sabale and Kalu Gavit.

On July 1, 2018, five men belonging to Nath Panthi Davari Gosavi were searching for livelihood in Rainpada village of the Dhule district. A mob attacked them, suspecting them to be child kidnappers due to misinformation on social media. The five were locked in the village’s gram panchayat office and assaulted till their death.

The prosecution submitted that the victims were assaulted with iron rods, stones, bricks, wooden logs and planks, which clearly showed the intention to kill.

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Among those acquitted were the accused who were granted bail by the Bombay High Court and the sessions court in 2019. They had submitted that the allegations against them were not of assaulting the victims but of obstructing a police team at the time of the attack.

The detailed order was yet to be made available.

Sadaf Modak

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

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