The Daily PulseGeneral
Rajasthan High Court Keeps Anti‑Terror Charges in Tailor Murder, Son Demands Death Penalty
Reported by Arjun Sethi (Fact-Checker) · Indian Express - India ·
The Rajasthan High Court has refused to drop Unlawful Activities Prevention Act charges against the eight men accused of killing tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur in 2022. On 5 November, a two‑judge bench led by the chief justice of the state and another justice dismissed petitions filed by the accused that sought to remove the UAPA provision from their case. The court said that the video evidence, the alleged conspiracy and the threat to the prime minister could be considered together, even if direct proof of a terror group link is missing.
What Happened
On 28 June 2022, two men identified as Mohammed Riyaz Attari and Ghouse Mohammad entered Lal’s shop pretending to be customers. After confronting him about a social‑media post that supported BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, they hacked him to death, filmed the act, posted the video online and later threatened the prime minister. Both are now held in a high‑security jail in Ajmer.
Reaction
Lal’s son, Yash Teli, posted on social media that the high court decision gives his family hope after four years of waiting, but he also demanded the death penalty and questioned why the trial has not been fast‑tracked. He warned that without capital punishment, public confidence in the judiciary could fall. He has repeatedly asked the court to speed up the proceedings.
Context
The UAPA is a strict anti‑terror law that allows longer detention and harsher penalties. Applying it to a murder case signals that authorities view the act as more than a simple crime, linking it to broader threats to public order.
ExplainerWhy this matters
What Happened
In June 2022, a tailor in Udaipur named Kanhaiya Lal was brutally murdered after a social‑media post he shared praised a BJP spokesperson. Two men, posing as customers, attacked him, recorded the killing, posted the video online and later threatened the prime minister.
Why It Matters
Authorities have charged the eight suspects under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, a law normally used for terrorism‑related offences. Using this law means the accused can be held for longer periods and face harsher sentences, including death. The decision shows that the courts may treat politically‑motivated violence as a threat to public order, not just a regular homicide, which could set a precedent for future cases.
What Happens Next
The case will continue in the lower courts, where judges will decide on the final punishment. If the trial court imposes the death penalty, the accused can still appeal to higher courts. Observers will watch whether the UAPA is upheld, as that will influence how similar politically charged crimes are prosecuted in the future.
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Photo: Wikimedia CommonsGeneralSource: The HinduWorth knowing
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