Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has reignited political tensions just ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Jaipur, by raising sharp questions over the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) handling of the Kanhaiyalal murder case.
Taking to social media, Gehlot criticized the “prolonged delay in justice” and accused the BJP of exploiting the tragedy for electoral gains during the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly polls. “In this case, the Rajasthan Police arrested the accused within just four hours. Both were found to be linked to the BJP. Yet the NIA took over the investigation overnight. We did not object, despite that,” Gehlot said.
Gehlot recalled how Shah repeatedly invoked the Kanhaiyalal case in his rallies to attack the then Congress government, but now, “even after three years, justice has not been served.”
“The NIA court doesn’t even have a regular judge, and it has failed to get the statements of key witnesses recorded to date,” he added, highlighting serious concerns over procedural delays.
He went further to allege that “the BJP misled the public with false claims of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 50 lakh compensation being paid,” a narrative he believes heavily influenced voter sentiment against the Congress in the last elections.
Calling the delay “dangerous for democracy,” Gehlot said, “The BJP used this case for political mileage, but they have done nothing to ensure speedy justice.”
He demanded that Shah, who will be in Jaipur to attend the Cooperative and Employment Festival in Dadiya village, give a public explanation on the case’s progress and whether the central government plans to “strengthen the judicial process or continue using such sensitive matters for political benefit.”
Meanwhile, the state gears up for Shah’s visit, which is expected to bring significant announcements. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma confirmed that over 8,000 youth will receive appointment letters, and that the Home Minister will inaugurate 24 food storage warehouses and launch 64 “Shri Anna” millet outlets.
Other major initiatives include the distribution of ₹12 crore in loans under the Gopal Credit Card Scheme to 1,400 beneficiaries, handover of 2,346 micro ATMs to milk-producing cooperative societies, and the launch of the White Revolution 2.0 PDCS online registration platform.
