Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday, 27 June launched a pointed attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), questioning why the trial in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case has stalled nearly four years after the killing, and accusing the ruling party of leveraging the tragedy for electoral gain while failing to deliver justice to the victim's family.

Gehlot's Core Allegations

In a post on X, Gehlot stated that despite the BJP controlling both the Centre and the Rajasthan state government, the trial has moved at a crawl. He alleged that statements of only 21 out of 180 witnesses have been recorded so far — a pace he described as not mere negligence but, in his words, 'a calculated conspiracy.'

'It has been nearly four years since Kanhaiya Lal ji's brutal murder, yet the hope for justice remains unfulfilled under the BJP's double-engine government. This appears to be not merely negligence but a calculated conspiracy,' Gehlot alleged.

The Case Background

Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal was brutally murdered in 2022, triggering widespread outrage across Rajasthan and the country. The case was taken up by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and is currently being heard by a special NIA court. Gehlot himself acknowledged the NIA's involvement, but argued that the pace of proceedings remains unacceptably slow given the political weight both governments have placed on the case.

BJP's Electoral Narrative Under Scrutiny

Gehlot alleged that the BJP had weaponised the Kanhaiya Lal murder during election campaigns, particularly through what he described as the '₹5 lakh versus ₹50 lakh' narrative used to mobilise voters. 'The BJP spread the 'Rs 5 lakh versus Rs 50 lakh' narrative to win elections, but never intended to deliver justice,' he claimed.

He further alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, despite making repeated visits to Rajasthan, no longer mention Kanhaiya Lal's name or speak about accountability for the accused. 'After deriving political benefit from the issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah now visit Rajasthan without even mentioning Kanhaiya Lal ji's name, let alone discussing punishment for the accused,' he said.

Political Context

This comes amid a broader pattern of the Indian National Congress (Congress) targeting the BJP on law-and-order failures in Rajasthan. Gehlot, who led the state government until the BJP returned to power in late 2023, has been a persistent critic of the current administration's handling of sensitive cases. Notably, the Congress leader appealed directly to the people of Rajasthan, urging them to recognise what he characterised as the BJP's 'true face' on the issue.

The BJP had not responded to Gehlot's remarks at the time of reporting. With witness examination at less than 12% of the total count, the timeline for a verdict in the special NIA court remains uncertain — and the family's wait for justice continues.