Sushil Giri, Chikne Maharaj, and Nilesh Tilghate had Rs 6 lakh cash on them when they were lynched on Thursday, but the money is missing, alleged the family and close associates of the deceased. A mob of 450 people from the tribal community in Palghar district had beaten the trio to death suspecting them to be thieves.

One of the followers of Giri, 35, told mid-day that he along with Kalpvriksha alias Chikne, 70, and Tilghate, 30, were going to Surat to attend the last rites of a priest, Ramgiri Maharaj, who had died on April 16. Giri was a disciple of Ramgiri, who was an ardent devotee of Chikne, he added. Because of their relationship, "Chikne Maharaj and Sushil Giri planned to attend the last rites of Ramgiri in Surat," said the follower, requesting anonymity.