On Thursday, September 5, the Rajasthan High Court took a significant step by granting bail to Mohammed Javed, a key figure involved in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case. Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor in Udaipur, was horrifically beheaded by two radical Islamists simply because he shared a social media post supporting Nupur Sharma, a former BJP spokesperson. The post had stirred controversy, leading to this tragic and violent outcome.

The bail was granted by a division bench comprising Justice Pankaj Bhandari and Justice Praveen Bhatnagar. They approved the release of Mohammed Javed on a bond of Rs 2 lakh, along with an additional surety of Rs 1 lakh. This decision came after a detailed review of Javed's involvement in the case.

The case has been under intense investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Mohammed Javed was arrested on July 22, 2022, in Udaipur, just 20 days after Kanhaiya Lal's brutal murder. The NIA acted swiftly in apprehending Javed, as his role in the case was critical.

Reports suggest that Javed was not just a passive observer but played a pivotal role in the conspiracy. He allegedly informed Riyaz Attari, one of the killers, about Kanhaiya Lal's presence at his shop, which ultimately led to the gruesome beheading. Javed’s role as an informant was seen as a significant element in the execution of this horrific crime, making his arrest a crucial part of the investigation.

This development in the case has raised many questions, as Javed’s release on bail comes despite his alleged involvement in the conspiracy. However, the legal process is still ongoing, and further steps will be awaited in this case that has shaken the nation.

Kanhaiya Lal Murder

On June 29, 2022, a gruesome murder shocked Rajasthan’s Udaipur, when two radical Islamists named Riyaz and Ghous Mohammed brutally killed a Hindu man, Kanhaiya Lal. The murder took place in the afternoon, and it stemmed from Kanhaiya Lal's post on social media, where he expressed support for ex-BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. This seemingly ordinary action led to a horrifying crime as the two men, under the guise of customers, entered his shop and brutally murdered him.

The incident was caught on video, and the footage that emerged revealed the cold-blooded manner in which Kanhaiya Lal’s life was taken. Riyaz and Ghous Mohammed walked into the tailor’s shop, pretending to be there for a service, but once they got close to Kanhaiya Lal, they attacked him. They grabbed a knife and beheaded him while he was busy taking measurements for their clothes, making the crime even more terrifying due to its calculated nature.

The violence that unfolded was savage. The post-mortem report later confirmed the extent of the brutality. Kanhaiya Lal was stabbed 26 times, with the injuries stretching from his neck to his shoulder. The killers had no mercy, and the number of stab wounds revealed the deep-seated hatred driving the attack. His only "crime" was posting a message in support of Nupur Sharma, which became the reason for this barbaric act.

The crime unfolded near Bhoot Mahal on Maldas Street in Udaipur, a busy area bustling with activity. Kanhaiya Lal was the owner of Supreme Tailors, a well-known shop in the area. He was killed in broad daylight, right in the midst of the hustle and bustle, making the situation even more shocking. The murder, committed so openly, rattled the local community. The Udaipur Police responded quickly to the scene, arriving after merchants in the surrounding area expressed their outrage over the horrifying incident. The crime had deeply disturbed the business community, who were enraged by the cruelty and inhumanity they had witnessed.

In the aftermath of the Kanhaiya Lal murder, a chilling video emerged, posted by Delhi BJP politician Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga. The video captures the horrifying sequence of events leading up to the beheading. One of the Muslim men entered Kanhaiya Lal’s shop pretending to be a customer, while the other filmed the entire incident. As the tailor innocently took the man’s body measurements, his trust was betrayed in the most brutal way. The attacker suddenly grabbed Kanhaiya Lal’s neck and launched an assault from behind, catching him completely off guard.

The video footage revealed the full horror of the crime. Kanhaiya Lal could be seen pleading for his life, begging the attackers to let him go. However, his pleas fell on deaf ears as the attacker mercilessly continued to hit him. The crime escalated to a shocking level of violence as the tailor’s cries and screams filled the air. In the latter part of the video, Kanhaiya Lal could be heard crying and screaming while the attackers beheaded him with a crude knife, showing their complete disregard for humanity. The sheer brutality of the act left viewers shaken.

After the horrific murder, the aftermath was equally disturbing. Kanhaiya Lal’s lifeless body, wrapped in plastic, was seen lying outside his shop, with blood flowing onto the streets, a stark reminder of the cruelty that had taken place in broad daylight. The gruesome scene left the local community traumatized.

The tragedy that befell Kanhaiya Lal was sparked by a social media post that his eight-year-old son had shared in support of Nupur Sharma. This innocent act of posting from a mobile phone led to a chain of events that would culminate in a brutal death. Following the post, Kanhaiya Lal was arrested by officials from Dhanmandi police station. Even after his release, he continued to face death threats from those angered by the post.

Fearing for his life, Kanhaiya Lal reached out for help. He appealed to the Congress-led Rajasthan government for protection, expressing his fears after receiving repeated threats. Unfortunately, his pleas were ignored, as the police did not take his concerns seriously. This lack of response left Kanhaiya Lal vulnerable, and tragically, the threats against him materialized in the most devastating way.

In yet another chilling video, the assailants, who identified themselves as Mohammed Riyaz Akhatari and another man named Mohammed, boldly claimed responsibility for the gruesome murder. They justified their heinous act in the name of Allah, declaring their allegiance to their faith. In the video, one of them can be heard saying, “We have chopped off the head from the one from Udaipur. Oh, Allah, we will live for you and die for you.” These words, filled with fanatical devotion, added further shock and horror to the already disturbing crime.

Their threats were not limited to Kanhaiya Lal alone. The killers directed their anger towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, issuing a direct threat. “Oh Narendra Modi, listen, you’ve started the fire and we will extinguish it. I hope this knife reaches your neck as well, Inshallah,” the man stated in the video, filled with ominous intent. This declaration, targeting the Prime Minister, sent ripples of fear throughout the nation.

The video also included a disturbing message to the people of Udaipur. The attackers chanted, “Gustakh e Rasool ki Sazah, Sar tan see Juda” (The one who insults Allah has the only punishment, which is the separation of the head from the body), inciting further violence and hatred. Their words, aimed at justifying the barbaric act, reflected an alarming mindset.

The Udaipur Police, upon learning of the video, quickly launched an investigation to track down the Islamists responsible for the crime. Their violent threats, combined with their brazen confession, have left the people of Udaipur in a state of fear. The boldness with which they justified their actions in public has horrified the local population. The situation has escalated to such an extent that their threats against Prime Minister Modi have contributed to a growing disturbance in the law and order situation in Rajasthan. The posts and videos circulated by the killers had deeply unsettled the state, leaving the authorities on high alert as they attempt to restore peace.