Justice Delayed: Ashok Gehlot Critiques BJP's Silence on Kanhaiya Lal Murder Case

Gehlot Calls Out BJP's Inaction on Kanhaiya Lal Case

In a recent statement, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot expressed concerns over the lack of justice in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case, which occurred four years ago. He accused the BJP of exploiting the tragedy for electoral purposes while failing to pursue justice for the victim's family.

Gehlot, who previously served as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, pointed out that despite the National Investigation Agency (NIA) overseeing the case and a special NIA court hearing it, there has been little advancement in the proceedings, even with BJP-led governments at both the central and state levels.

He highlighted that only 21 out of 180 witnesses have been interrogated, suggesting that the delays are not just due to negligence but seem to be a calculated effort to extend the trial. Gehlot criticized the BJP for lacking the will to expedite the judicial process.

The Congress leader remarked that while the BJP raised the issue during election campaigns, they have since gone quiet on ensuring justice for Kanhaiya Lal's family. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have stopped mentioning the case during their visits to Rajasthan.

Gehlot urged the citizens of Rajasthan to recognize the BJP's political maneuvering regarding this sensitive issue, accusing them of manipulating public emotions.

Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor, was brutally murdered in his shop located in Udaipur's Hathipole area on June 28, 2022, by two men wielding cleavers, allegedly in retaliation for a social media post perceived as offensive to Islam. The attackers filmed the horrific act and shared it online, sparking widespread outrage.

At the time of the incident, the Congress government led by Gehlot was in power, and the BJP had subsequently used the murder as a campaign issue during the 2023 assembly elections.