Vasundhara Raje Visits Witness In Kanhaiya Lal Murder Case

Raje's visit comes in the wake of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's accusations of vote bank politics against the Congress government, and aims to assess the situation and provide assistance to Sharma's family.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 1 July 2023 4:02 pm

Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje

In a display of support, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje visited the residence of Rajkumar Sharma, a witness in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case, in Udaipur. Raje's visit came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the Congress government in Rajasthan of playing vote bank politics by citing the murder. Sharma, who is currently bedridden after suffering a brain haemorrhage, had provided crucial testimony regarding Lal's murder.

Kanhaiya Lal was tragically killed on June 28 last year by two assailants who accused him of insulting Islam by sharing controversial remarks made by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma on the Prophet. The two accused, Mohammad Riyaz Attari and Mohammad Ghouse, were apprehended on the same day. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which took over the case from the Rajasthan police, later revealed that the killing was orchestrated in Pakistan. Subsequently, the NIA filed a chargesheet against 11 individuals, including two Pakistani nationals.

During her visit, Raje expressed her intention to assess the current situation and evaluate the government's relief efforts and the well-being of Rajkumar Sharma. Additionally, she pledged her support to the family, including assistance with the marriage of Sharma's children, if required.

The previous day, while addressing a public meeting in Udaipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, asserting that had his government established special courts, Lal's killers would have been sentenced to death by now. Gehlot promptly responded, denouncing Shah's statements as "irresponsible" and accusing him of deceit.