Thane Special Sessions Judge PP Jadhav on Thursday granted bail of Rs 15,000 each to 54 accused in the sensational Palghar lynching case of two Sadhus and their driver. According to the defence lawyer Amrut Adhikari, among those who got bail include 8 who were arrested by the local police hours after the crime was reported on April 16. Of the 54 allowed bail, 46 were arrested subsequently by the CID during the investigations in the case which sparked off a nationwide furore. Adhikari and lawyer Atul Patil, representing the accused farmers or tribals, argued in the Thane Court that their clients were not involved in the lynching incident and had been arrested merely on grounds of suspicion. The CID has filed three separate chargesheets in the case and so far, arrested a total of 238 accused including 11 minors. Of these, 77 adult accused including nine minors have been granted bail, while another 135 accused are reported to be absconding. Special Public Prosecutor Satish Maneshinde represented the CID while advocate P. N. Ojha appeared on behalf of the families of the deceased Sadhus. The Palghar Police and CID arrested a total of 229 of which there was no chargesheet against 28 accused, according to Adhikari. (IANS)