Palghar lynching: India police arrest more than 100 suspects Published duration 20 April Related Topics India coronavirus lockdown

image copyright ANI image caption Among the dead are two Hindu godmen and their driver.

More than 100 people have been arrested for allegedly beating three men to death in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

The incident happened in Palghar district on Thursday but a video of the attack went viral on Sunday.

Reports say the men, who were reportedly mistaken for thieves, were going to a funeral when the mob dragged them out of their car.

India has been under lockdown since 25 March to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Among the dead are two Hindu godmen and their driver.

The viral video shows the mob lynching the men as police struggled to rescue them. The mob reportedly suspected that the men were child abductors.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that strict action would be taken against the culprits.

Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the incident showed that the government was not in control of the law and order situation in the state.

Several Hindu groups have also criticised the incident and raised questions over the lockdown measures in the state.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh said there was nothing communal about the incident.