Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has declined direct reply on the issue of the Supreme Court’s ban on Hindi feature film “Udaipur Files”.
However, he targeted the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre for the delay in the NIA investigation and trial in the Lake-City’s infamous Kanhaiyalal murder, the case that constituted the theme of the controversial film.
Talking to media persons here Thursday, Gehlot said, “I neither have viewed the film nor have much idea about the dispute. However, the apex court would have certainly stayed its screening after thorough consideration.”
On Kanhaiyalal’s murder, he said this was an incident that had shocked the entire country. Our (Congress) government had grabbed the culprits 2 accused, within four hours of the tragic incident. Both the accused had links with BJP leaders, Gehlot stated.
Despite the swift and fast action (arrests) by the Rajasthan Police, the NIA had taken up the case overnight, the ex-CM said, adding, three years have been lapsed since, but no concrete progress in the trial in the NIA special court has been made, even the process of recording statements of witnesses could not be completed.
Then, the case was politicised by the BJP by spreading lies and false propaganda, for garnering votes in the state assembly polls of 2023, Gehlot charged. People were misled by the party leaders and confusion was created even on the amount of compensation to Kanhaiya Lal’s family.
“Now, since Union Home Minister Amit Shah was in Jaipur today to attend programmes, I want to know when the family of Kanhaiya Lal would be delivered justice”, the three time ex-CM quipped.
Gehlot also expressed shock and dismay over a sensational incident in which miscreants kidnapped a Dalit youth from Alwar, bared him all (naked), took him to Bundi, videographed him nude and sent the video to his family.
“I am sad and shocked to watch the video. I have not seen such a heinous video in my life. This reflects on the prevailing state of law and order in Rajasthan, on the dangerously daring instincts of criminals and miscreants. It puts all of us in a worrisome situation,” Gehlot said.