Four Years Later, Questions About Justice for Kanhaiyalal Murder

It has been four years since the murder of Kanhaiyalal in Udaipur. Leaders are now talking about why the case is taking so long to finish. They are asking questions and pointing fingers at different political groups.
By Newsroom | India, Udaipur |

Four years after the brutal murder of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiyalal Teli, political figures are raising concerns about the pace of justice. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has been a vocal critic, asserting that the victim's family is still awaiting resolution and that the accused have ties to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP, in turn, has defended its stance and pointed to actions taken by its governments.

Accused in Kanhaiyalal murder case BJP workers, family awaiting justice for 4 years: Ashok Gehlot - 1

The 2022 murder of Kanhaiyalal Teli in Udaipur, Rajasthan, has become a focal point for political discourse, particularly concerning the delay in delivering justice. The incident, which sent shockwaves across the nation, involved the beheading of the tailor over alleged social media posts. The case was transferred from the Rajasthan Police to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a move that has been at the center of subsequent political exchanges.

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Accused in Kanhaiyalal murder case BJP workers, family awaiting justice for 4 years: Ashok Gehlot - 2

Key Actors and Timeline

  • Kanhaiyalal Teli: The victim, a tailor from Udaipur. Murdered in June 2022.

  • Ashok Gehlot: Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan and senior Congress leader. Has repeatedly raised concerns about the case's progress.

  • Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Accused by Gehlot of having ties to the accused and of using the case for political gain.

  • National Investigation Agency (NIA): The agency currently handling the investigation after it was transferred from state police.

  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah: Target of Gehlot's questions regarding the probe's status.

  • Rajendra Rathore: BJP leader who has responded to Gehlot's accusations.

Timeline of Events and Statements:

  • June 2022: Kanhaiyalal Teli murdered in Udaipur. Rajasthan Police arrest two accused within hours.

  • June 2022: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot calls for a high-level meeting and suspects international links. (Article 13)

  • June 2022: BJP leader Gulabchand Kataria visits Kanhaiyalal's family. (Article 13)

  • September 2023: Gehlot government relaxes service rules to give government jobs to two individuals who helped nab the accused. (Article 14)

  • June 2023: Union Home Minister Amit Shah asks the Gehlot government to set up a special court. (Article 15)

  • November 2023: Gehlot alleges the accused were "BJP people" and that the BJP was using the issue for polls. (Article 9, 11)

  • September 2024: One accused in the Kanhaiyalal murder case receives bail. Gehlot criticizes the BJP. (Article 2)

  • June 2025: Gehlot criticizes the BJP-led Central government and the NIA for delays. (Article 3, 8, 16)

  • July 2025: Gehlot questions Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the prolonged delay in justice. (Article 4, 7, 10, 12)

  • February 2026: Gehlot states Kanhaiyalal's family has been waiting for justice for four years, alleging the accused are BJP workers. (Article 1)

Mounting Pressure for Justice

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has voiced significant concerns regarding the protracted delay in delivering justice to the family of Kanhaiyalal Teli. He has repeatedly engaged with the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, to ascertain the status of the investigation. Gehlot's statements consistently highlight that nearly four years have passed since the murder, yet the victim's family is still awaiting a resolution. He contends that the Rajasthan Police acted swiftly by arresting the assailants, but the subsequent transfer of the probe to the NIA has led to perceived stagnation. This perceived lack of progress, Gehlot argues, is fueling public apprehension and is an unacceptable outcome in what he describes as an "open-and-shut" case.

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Accused in Kanhaiyalal murder case BJP workers, family awaiting justice for 4 years: Ashok Gehlot - 3

Allegations of Political AffiliationA central theme in Gehlot's critique is the alleged affiliation of the accused with the BJP. He has stated on multiple occasions that the main accused were BJP workers. Gehlot implies that this association has contributed to the delay in the judicial process, suggesting that political considerations are influencing the handling of the case.

Accused in Kanhaiyalal murder case BJP workers, family awaiting justice for 4 years: Ashok Gehlot - 4

Defense and Counter-Allegations

The BJP has responded to Gehlot's accusations, asserting its commitment to punishing the culprits. BJP leader Rajendra Rathore stated that the party's government is dedicated to ensuring justice. He also mentioned that his government had provided ₹50 lakh in compensation to Kanhaiyalal's family. The BJP has also accused Gehlot of playing politics with the case. During the period leading up to elections, the BJP has been accused by Gehlot of using Kanhaiyalal's murder for electoral gain, while the BJP has countered by stating Gehlot himself is frustrated and using the issue due to upcoming election losses.

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Actions and Inquiries

  • Compensation: The BJP government provided ₹50 lakh in compensation to Kanhaiyalal's family. (Article 2)

  • Special Court: Amit Shah, in June 2023, asked the then Gehlot government to set up a special court for the case. (Article 15)

  • Political Exploitation Claims: Gehlot accuses the BJP of extensively using the death for political gain and exploiting the case. (Article 3, 8, 19)

  • BJP's Rebuttal: BJP spokesperson Laxmikant Bhardwaj termed Gehlot's accusations as baseless, suggesting frustration due to potential election losses. (Article 9)

The NIA's Role and Judicial Process

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the investigation on the very night of Kanhaiyalal's murder. While the agency has filed an application for day-to-day hearings, Gehlot has highlighted that there have been no court dates for the case for several months, with a six-month gap mentioned in one instance. This prolonged period without judicial proceedings contributes to Gehlot's perception of a stalled justice system. The case is currently pending in the NIA court in Jaipur.

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Judicial Milestones and Delays

  • NIA Investigation: Took over the case on the night of the incident. (Article 6, 12)

  • Court Proceedings: Case pending in the NIA court in Jaipur. (Article 3, 6)

  • Hearing Schedule: Gehlot points to a lack of frequent hearings, citing a six-month gap without dates. (Article 6)

  • Bail Granted: One of the accused received bail in September 2024. (Article 2)

  • "Open-and-shut" Case: Gehlot's characterization of the murder as straightforward, implying the legal process should be quicker. (Article 1)

Expert Analysis and Public Sentiment

While direct expert analysis on the judicial delay is not extensively detailed in the provided articles, Ashok Gehlot's persistent questioning and the media's focus on his statements suggest a broader public concern regarding the pace of justice. His remarks about growing public apprehension underscore a sentiment that delays in dispensing punishment, especially in high-profile cases, can erode trust in the legal system. The implication that political motivations might be at play further complicates public perception.

Societal Implications

  • Public Apprehension: Growing due to the delay in punishment. (Article 1)

  • Erosion of Trust: Delays can lead to public skepticism about government competence and the judicial process. (Article 12)

  • Politicization: The case has become a "political flashpoint," with accusations of vote-bank politics from both sides. (Article 4, 9, 15)

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The Kanhaiyalal murder case remains a sensitive issue, marked by persistent allegations of delayed justice and political maneuvering. Ashok Gehlot's sustained critique, directed at both the Central government and the NIA, emphasizes the urgency for a swifter resolution. The BJP's defense and counter-allegations highlight the polarized political environment surrounding the case.

The core of the issue lies in the significant time elapsed since the murder and the perceived stagnation in judicial proceedings, despite the initial swift action by the Rajasthan Police. The case's pendency in the NIA court, coupled with the absence of regular hearings, continues to fuel concerns for Kanhaiyalal's family and observers. Whether the legal process will expedite its course or continue to be a subject of political contention remains the central question.

Key Sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened to Kanhaiyalal?
Kanhaiyalal, a tailor from Udaipur, was murdered in June 2022.
Q: Why are people talking about this now?
It has been four years since the murder, and leaders are asking why the court case is taking so long.
Q: What are the political arguments?
Some leaders say the accused had links to a political party and that this is causing delays. Others say this is just politics and that their own governments acted fairly.
Q: Who is handling the case now?
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating the case.
Q: Has anyone received bail?
Yes, one of the accused was given bail in September 2024.