MUMBAI: Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh released the list of 101 people who were arrested in the Palghar lynching incident, saying that the incident occurred due to rumours on social media about child kidnappers and thieves roaming in the region. He added that none of the arrested were Muslims and urged everyone to not communalise the incident.

Taking to Twitter, Deshmukh posted the list of people arrested and wrote, "The list of the 101 arrested in the Palghar incident. Especially sharing for those who were trying to make this a communal issue." He further added, “Palghar lynching is a grotesque incident which happened due to rumours on social media about child kidnappers and thieves prowling in the area. A high-level inquiry is going on. People are requested to verify the facts from trusted sources and not fall for rumours.”

Meanwhile the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken over the investigation of the three FIRs in the Palghar incident. While 101 people have been remanded in police custody till April 30, nine others have been sent to juvenile home.

The incident took place on April 17 when three men, who were travelling from Mumbai to Gujarat, were beaten to death by a group of villagers in Gadchinchle.