Ashok Gehlot Alleges BJP Links in Kanhaiya Lal Murder Case; Says Family Still Awaiting Justice

Jaipur: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday (February 8, 2026) alleged that the accused in the 2022 murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur were “BJP workers” and claimed that justice has been delayed despite the case being, in his words, an “open-and-shut” matter.

Addressing party workers and later speaking to the media, Mr. Gehlot said that the family of Kanhaiya Lal continues to wait for closure nearly four years after the brutal daylight killing that had shocked the nation. He questioned the pace of the trial being conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which had taken over the case shortly after the incident in June 2022.

Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor in Udaipur, was murdered inside his shop by two men who allegedly recorded the act and circulated the video online. The incident had triggered widespread outrage across the country and led to heightened security measures in Rajasthan.

Mr. Gehlot claimed that the accused had political affiliations and said the matter should not be politicised but resolved swiftly through due legal process. “The family deserves justice. The case was clear from the beginning. There should be no delay,” he said, adding that accountability must be ensured irrespective of political considerations.

The BJP has not officially responded to the latest allegations at the time of filing this report. In the past, party leaders have rejected similar claims and accused the Congress government, which was in power in Rajasthan at the time of the incident, of attempting to deflect responsibility.

The case is currently under trial in a special NIA court. Security agencies had earlier invoked stringent provisions under anti-terror laws, citing the nature of the crime and alleged radical links.

Meanwhile, members of Kanhaiya Lal’s family have reiterated their demand for speedy justice and strict punishment for those involved. The case continues to remain a sensitive and politically charged issue in Rajasthan.