Ashok Gehlot slams Amit Shah over slow progress in Kanhaiya Lal murder case

Jaipur: Veteran Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said Union Home Minister Amit Shah should clarify the delay in taking the Kanhaiya Lal murder case to conclusion in court.

He said the case was taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the night of the incident three years ago. Still, the central agency has not been able to even get statements recorded in the case, the former chief minister claimed.

Kanhaiya Lal Sahu, a tailor, was murdered by two cleaver wielding men in Udaipur in June 2022. Gehlot was the chief minister at the time.

"Our police had apprehended the accused within four hours of the incident. NIA took over the case in the night... but even after all this time, they have failed to make any headway," Gehlot said at a press conference at his residence.

"In many cases, decisions are made within six months but this case is still pending. The lack of action has made people question the effectiveness of the government," he added.

Gehlot also accused the BJP of making false accusations and using the incident as a political tool during election campaigns.

"We gave government jobs to both sons (of Kanhaiya Lal) and provided a compensation package worth Rs 50 lakh. This was the largest compensation package given to anyone post-Independence," he said.

"(However) they falsely claimed that Kanhaiya Lal's family received only Rs 5 lakh while a Muslim family was given a compensation of Rs 50 lakh. They created Hindu-Muslim narrative and it contributed significantly to our defeat (in 2023 Rajasthan Assembly elections)." Targeting the Bhajanlal Sharma government, Gehlot alleged that law and order was deteriorating under the BJP's rule.

"Recently, a Dalit boy was kidnapped, stripped naked and taken from Alwar to Bundi. This is an indication of the growing fearlessness among criminals, and it is a worrying sign for the people of Rajasthan," the former chief minister said.

He said there was widespread criticism about the government's performance.

"This is the most ineffective government I have ever seen in my political career. I have never heard such ineffectiveness and incompetence in any government, whether BJP or Congress. People are dissatisfied," Gehlot said.

When asked about Shah's visit to Rajasthan and the political developments within the BJP, Gehlot refrained from making any direct comments, terming it an internal matter of the ruling party.

He said that there were reports in the media suggesting that some chief ministers might be removed from office.

"I just made a casual comment about the political conspiracies happening within the party. Any such actions would not be in the state's best interest," Gehlot remarked.

The Congress leader also highlighted the importance of respecting the opposition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not treat the opposition as enemies, he said, adding constructive dialogue and involving the opposition in decision-making processes can lead to better governance.

He supported Rahul Gandhi's stance on caste-based census.

"Rahul Gandhi's mission is clear. He is not against the general castes. Some BJP leaders, however, have always ignored the Constitution, and now they are selectively invoking Ambedkar's name," Gehlot added.D