Ashok Gehlot slams BJP, NIA over delay in Kanhaiya Lal Murder trial

Jaipur: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Ashok Gehlot has criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for failing to deliver justice to tailor Kanhaiya Lal Sahu, nearly three years after his brutal murder in Udaipur. Marking the third death anniversary of Kanhaiya Lal, Gehlot paid tribute to the deceased tailor and expressed grief that justice continues to elude the victim’s family.

“It is a matter of great sadness that even after three years, he and his family have not got justice,” the former Chief Minister said in a social media post.

Gehlot accused the BJP of politicising the murder case without making any real effort to ensure accountability.

“The BJP used this case politically but made no effort for justice, whereas this is a very clear case in which the entire crime and even the confession of the accused is recorded on video,” he said.

Highlighting the swift action taken under the previous Congress government in Rajasthan, Gehlot said, “During our government, the accused was arrested within just four hours. But that very night, the NIA took over the case. Since then, justice has remained pending.”

He criticised the NIA and the Central government for procedural delays in the murder case.

“Only six out of 166 witnesses have testified in the last three years. No special court or fast-track court was constituted, despite the heinous nature of the crime. Today, this case is being heard under the additional charge of a CBI court,” Gehlot said.

Taking a jibe at the BJP government in the state, the former Chief Minister alleged that the BJP misled the people with false claims of compensation to the family of the slain tailor Kanhaiya Lal.

“They spread confusion with propaganda of Rs 5 to Rs 50 lakh as compensation and used the incident to gather votes,” Gehlot said. He also questioned the timing of a new film based on the brutal murder of Kanhaiya Lal up for release.  (IANS)

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