Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot slams BJP for "extensively" using Kanhaiya Lal's death for political gain

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], June 28 (ANI): Paying tribute to late Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor who was beheaded in Udaipur, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday launched an attack against the BJP for not serving justice in the case.
Taking to X, Gehlot wrote, "I offer my tributes on the third death anniversary of Late Shri Kanhaiyalal Sahu. It is a matter of great sorrow that even after 3 years, neither he nor his family have received justice. The BJP has extensively used this case for political gain but has not made efforts for justice, even though this is a completely clear case where the entire crime and its confession are recorded on video."
He added that during his tenure as the Chief Minister, the accused were arrested within four hours, but the BJP has just spread propaganda regarding the case.
"During our government's tenure, cases were resolved through the courts in a very short time with swift justice. In this case too, the accused were arrested within just four hours. That same night, the NIA took over the case, and justice is still awaited. The BJP spread confusion among the public with false propaganda of 5 lakh-50 lakh and garnered votes," he wrote.
Alleging National Investigation Agency (NIA)'s failure in testifying witnesses, he said that no special court or fast-track court has been established for the hearing of the murder case.
"It is a failure of the central government and the NIA that even after three years, only 6 out of 166 witnesses have been able to testify. In this heinous case, no special court or fast-track court has been established. Currently, the case is being heard under the additional charge of the CBI court," Gehlot added.
"Now a film is being made on this murder. Everyone knows who will gain political benefit from this film, but justice still does not seem to be in sight. I believe that if the NIA had not taken this case from the Rajasthan Police, the culprits would have been sentenced long ago," the X post read.
Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor, was beheaded inside his shop in Udaipur by two assailants in broad daylight on June 28, 2022, for allegedly posting content in support of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma.
The beheading of the Udaipur tailor sent shockwaves across the country and sparked a public outcry. The case was initially registered at Dhanmandi police station in Udaipur but was later transferred to the NIA on June 29, 2022. (ANI)