NIA Probe, Suspected Pak Links: Key Developments in Udaipur Tailor's Murder Case

Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor, was killed by two men who said they were avenging an insult to Islam.

Kanhaiya Lal's funeral was held in Udaipur in the presence of a large number of people, amid a curfew in different parts of the city. His family has demanded the death penalty for both the accused.

(Photo: PTI)

Video Producer: Aparna Singh

Video Editor: Pawan Kumar

Kanhaiya Lal Teli, a tailor in Rajasthan's Udaipur, was murdered by two men on Tuesday afternoon, 28 June, in the city’s Dhan Mandi area, over his social media posts allegedly supporting suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma's remarks against Prophet Muhammad.

Kanhaiya Lal had been on 11 June, booked for sharing a controversial post on social media, after which he was arrested. The local SHO summoned Kanhaiya Lal, the complainant and members of both communities and settled the matter, senior police officials said.

On Wednesday, Kanhaiya Lal's funeral was held in Udaipur in the presence of a large number of people, amid a curfew in different parts of the city. His family has demanded that both the accused be sentenced to the death penalty.

Here are the key developments in the case.

• Two men, claiming to be the murderers, posted a video message later in the day and sent out a threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• The video of the brutal murder was also shared on social media. Senior police officials have since appealed to media organisations to not display the video.

• Both the accused, Gaus Mohammad and Mohammad Riyaz Akhtari, were arrested by the Rajasthan Police on Tuesday evening.

• Treating the Udaipur murder as a terror incident, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The state police will assist the agency in the probe.

• The MHA said that possible international links and involvement of terrorist organisations in the case would be thoroughly investigated.

• Three more men, with whom the main accused were in contact, have been taken into custody.

• Rajasthan DGP ML Lather said on Wednesday that co-accused Ghouse Mohammad has links with the Pakistan-based Dawat-e-Islami organisation.

• It has emerged that Kanhaiya Lal had previously submitted a written complaint saying that he was receiving threat calls, and had sought police protection. His request however had gone unheeded.

• After the murder, ASI Bhanwar Lal posted at Dhan Mandi police station was suspended for negligence.

• Following the brutal murder, Section 144 has been imposed in the entire state for one month. Internet services were also suspended in Rajasthan till Wednesday.

• A statewide alert has been issued to all superintendents of police and inspectors general to increase the mobility of police forces and ensure the heavy presence of officers on the ground.

• The killing has drawn condemnation from all quarters, including politicians, international NGOs, intellectuals and religious bodies, with the latter calling it "un-Islamic".