Palghar sadhus lynching: Who is Kashinath Chaudhary and why did BJP stay his induction

Palghar: The Maharashtra BJP on Monday said that it has paused the entry of Palghar politician Kashinath Choudhary into the party. Choudhary has been accused of having a role in the 2020 mob lynching in which two sadhus were killed. The decision came a day after his public induction in Palghar triggered strong backlash. State BJP chief Ravindra Chavan ordered the halt.

In a statement, the party said that, according to investigation papers, Choudhary’s name is not listed in any FIR or chargesheet linked to the incident. "But because the matter is sensitive, his induction has been stopped for now at the state level,” the BJP said. The party added that it will study the case further before taking a final call.

Chavan also stressed that the issue will be reviewed thoroughly before any next step is taken.

The Congress, meanwhile, criticised the BJP on X, accusing it of "double standards.” It pointed out that the BJP had earlier labelled Choudhary as the prime accused in the Palghar case and had strongly attacked him after the killings. "Yet he has now been welcomed into the BJP with celebrations. This shows the BJP’s hypocrisy,” the Congress said.

The lynching took place on April 16, 2020, when two sadhus — Chikne Maharaj Kalpavrukshagiri (70) and Sushil Giri Maharaj (35) — and their driver, Nilesh Telgade (30), were beaten to death by a mob in Gadchinchale village. The attack was driven by rumours of child kidnappers during the COVID-19 lockdown.

At that time, the BJP had strongly criticised the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, while Choudhary was still part of the undivided NCP.