Gehlot Criticizes BJP Over Kanhaiya Lal Murder Case Justice Delays
On Saturday, June 27, 2026, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot expressed his concerns regarding the lack of justice in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case, four years after the tragic incident. He accused the BJP of exploiting this issue for electoral advantages, yet remaining silent on ensuring justice for the accused.
Gehlot, a former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, highlighted that despite the ongoing investigation by the NIA and the case being heard in a special NIA court, there has been no notable progress. He pointed out that the BJP governs both the Centre and the State, but this has not led to any significant advancements in the case.
According to Gehlot, only 21 out of 180 witnesses have been examined to date. He alleged that this delay in justice is not just negligence but appears to be a deliberate attempt to extend the proceedings. He emphasized that the BJP demonstrates no genuine intention to facilitate a swift trial.
“The BJP used the issue for electoral gains but has failed to ensure timely justice for the victim’s family. The party raised the matter during elections but is now silent on securing punishment for those accused in the case,” Gehlot stated.
The Congress leader also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have stopped mentioning the case during their visits to Rajasthan. He urged the residents of the State to recognize the BJP’s political strategy concerning this sensitive issue, suggesting that the party is manipulating public sentiment.
Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor, was brutally murdered in his shop located in the bustling Hathipole area of Udaipur on June 28, 2022. He was attacked by two men wielding cleavers for allegedly supporting a social media post deemed offensive to Islam. The assailants filmed the heinous act and shared it online, leading to widespread outrage.
The incident occurred while the Congress government, under Gehlot’s leadership, was in power. The BJP had previously made the murder a focal point during the Assembly elections in 2023, leveraging it for political benefit.
