They were killed on suspicion of being child robbers. Apparently rumours on WhatsApp of a gang stealing children had gone viral throughout the area in the last few days. The crowd is believed to have suspected that the three men belonged to the gang and attacked them.
There is no clarity on what religion the perpetrators belonged to, but area is dominated by Hindus with a sizeable Muslim minority. This happened in a village in the Palghar district. But expect the SanghiNazis to brand them Muslims and bay for Muslim blood.
When fascism seeps into society, it is inevitable that all will ultimately be consumed by the fire that they have lit.