Udaipur beheading: Accused had links with Pak extremist group Dawat-e-Islami, say police, 3 more detained

A traders' body supported by the VHP and other Hindu groups has announced that markets in Jaipur will remain closed Thursday in protest against the murder of a tailor in Udaipur for allegedly insulting Islam. The call was given by the Sanyukt Vyapar Mahasangh which is supported by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other Hindu groups.

Working President of the ruling TRS in Telangana K T Rama Rao on Wednesday expressed shock over the brutal murder of a tailor in Rajasthan's Udaipur and favoured "most stringent punishment" to the culprits. The TRS leader said he was horrified and shocked at the ghastly murder.

Kanhaiya Lal, who was brutally killed by two men here, was cremated on Wednesday in the presence of a large number of people even as curfew remained clamped in parts of the city. A large number of people gathered at Lal's home in sector 14 here and raised slogans after his body was handed over to family members after postmortem. Soon after, the funeral procession was taken out and more people on motorcycles and cars joined along the way.

Prominent Muslim organisations on Wednesday condemned the brutal killing of a tailor in Udaipur, calling it "un-Islamic" and asserting that no person has the right to take law into one's hands. Bodies like All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind issued statements condemning the murder of Kanhaiya Lal by two men who had posted videos online that claimed they were avenging an insult to Islam.

Following the murder of a tailor in Rajasthan, the Uttar Pradesh Police has stepped up vigil in its state, Director General of Police DS Chauhan said on Wednesday. The top cop has also warned of strict action against anyone posting provocative posts on social media.

At least three more people have been arrested in connection with the killing of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur, reported news agency PTI.

Days before he was killed by two persons for allegedly insulting Islam, Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal had told police in a written complaint he faced a threat to life by some people who were conducting a "recce" of his shop, officials said Monday.

The NIA has registered a case in an incident of murder of Kanhaiya Lal Teli in Udaipur, Rajasthan. A team will go to Riyaz house Asind in Bhilwara for investigation. "Pursuant to registration of the case, NIA teams have already reached Udaipur and requisite action for expeditious investigation of case has already been initiated," said NIA.

In the Udaipur tailor beheading case, the police has said that the two accused arrested, had links with a Pakistani extremist group named Dawat-e-Islami.

The Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Delhi issued a statement on the Udaipur beheading incident, condemning the act, and called it "not only an act of cowardice but an act against Islam."

NIA re-registers case under anti-terror act UAPA in brutal killing of Udaipur tailor: Spokesperson

President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the incident of beheading in Udaipur saying 'radicalisation is spreading'.

Addressing the media, Owaisi said, "I strongly condemn the Udaipur incident... We hope the Rajasthan govt takes strict action. Had the police been more alert, this wouldn't have happened... Radicalisation is spreading."

According to him, the mere suspension of Nupur Sharma was not enough and she should have been arrested to avert such a crime. 

"Nupur Sharma should be arrested; mere suspension was not enough," Owaisi added.

The family members of Kanhaiya Lal have claimed that the deceased had filed a complaint with the police on June 15 alleging that he was being threatened by anti-social elements, however, police instead of acting, only helped in bringing a compromise. 

His family members alleged, "The poor man did not open his shop for six days fearing for his life. However, on Tuesday, when he opened his shop, he was beheaded. Had the police acted on his complaint on time, he would have been alive today. He has been getting threats after the social media post in support of Nupur Sharma. In fact, Kanhaiya Lal feared that he would be killed."

Kanhaiya Lal, whose brutal murder triggered communal tension in Udaipur, was cremated in the presence of a large number of people even as curfew remained clamped in parts of the city. A large number of police personnel were deployed during the funeral procession to maintain law and order, officials said.

The funeral procession was taken out peacefully.

A large number of people participated in the procession and reached the funeral ground on motorcycles and cars with some of them raising slogans demanding death penalty for the accused.

Rajasthan govt is completely responsible for this terror attack. Such incidents are being continuously reported in Rajasthan. Terror organisations are thriving in the state & the state govt has directly or indirectly provoked them: BJP leader Rajyavardhan Rathore

Rajasthan Minister Ramlal Jat says the accused should be hanged publicly. 

Ramlal Jat further says the government is at fault.

"We accept this is a security lapse on the part of the government," he said. 

Kanhaiya Lal's son talks to India TV, says his family will not accept anything less than capital punishment for the accused. 

The final rites of Kanhaiya Lal were completed today afternoon. 

National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation of the brutal murder of a man in Rajasthan's Udaipur and filed an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act as well as various sections of the Indian Penal Code, says the agency

Condemning the beheading of a young tailor for supporting BJP leader Nupur Sharma, Karnataka BJP on Wednesday said that the country should emulate Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath model to tackle religious fundamentalism.

While interacting with media, State BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel stated there is a need for the Yogi Adityanath model in the contemporary world. 

"There is a need for implementation of decisions taken by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The terrorist activity has started again in the country. The merciless killing of Hindu tailor is a matter of shame. The killing of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha in Karnataka had also taken place on the same lines. The killers of Harsha in Shivamogga district of the state had slit the throat of Harsha and sent a video of to his sister," Kateel said.

The Ala Hazrat Dargah in Bareilly has now joined other Muslim organisations in condemning the violent incident in Udaipur where a tailor was slain for supporting BJP leader Nupur Sharma's statement on the Prophet.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi said that Tuesday's incident had made the entire community bow its head with shame and remorse.

He said that the Prophet had never uttered a word against those who criticised him or even against his enemies.

Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday condemned the brutal murder of a tailor in Udaipur and said perpetrators of "Talibani barbarism" are the biggest enemies of both Islam and humanity.

Two men with a cleaver murdered a tailor in Udaipur and posted videos online, claiming that they are avenging an insult to Islam. No community or country can tolerate such barbarism and brutality, Naqvi told reporters here.

"We should beware of such elements who want to shatter the strength of India through their nefarious and heinous conspiracies. We have to work united to defeat such evil forces," the senior BJP leader asserted.

In apparent hate speech, Rajasthan Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas has threatened to kill those accused of killing Kanhaiya Lal. 

Uttar Pradesh Navnirman Sena chief Amit Jani has announced that he will provide financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to the family of tailor Kanhaiya Lal who was killed by two Muslim men in Udaipur on Tuesday evening for a social media post on the Prophet controversy. Jani will visit Udaipur to handover a cheque to Lal's family.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said that the state government will uncover the "conspiracy" behind the cold-blooded murder of a tailor in Udaipur a day ago.

Speaking to reporters here Gehlot said, "It is not an ordinary incident, we will seriously decipher the conspiracy and links to this killing. I'm going for a meeting and will let you know the outcome." The Chief Minister departed for Jaipur from Jodhpur on Wednesday.

Victim Kanhaiya Lal started getting death threats in connection with his social media post. He informed the police... but don't know under which pressure, the police didn't take action, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat 

According to sources, the postmortem report of Kanhaiya Kumar revealed the victim bore 26 attack marks from his neck to shoulder. The attacks were made through a sharp weapon, the report stated.

NIA will investigate the case and interrogate Ghos Mohammad and Riyaz. Their previous social media post shows their inclination towards Dawat-e-Islami ( Karachi-based organisation). NIA team searching digital access of Ghos Mohammad and Riyaz in Facebook is also looking for Dark net. They will also interrogate about their statement on video where they have threatened PM. Ghos Mohammad and Riyaz phones have been seized. 

The body of Kanhaiya Lal has been brought to his residence. His postmortem was completed today morning.

I strongly condemn the Udaipur incident... We hope the Rajasthan govt takes strict action. Had the police been more alert, this wouldn't have happened... Radicalisation is spreading... Nupur Sharma should be arrested; mere suspension was not enough: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi

MHA has directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the investigation of the brutal murder of Shri Kanhaiya Lal Teli.

The involvement of any organisation and international links will be thoroughly investigated.

Muslim organisations have condemned the horrific beheading of a man in Udaipur and have said that the murder can never be justified.

Mushawarat President Navaid Hamid said, "The gruesome beheading in Udaipur is anti-Islamic and an open case of hate crime. Prophet Muhammad had never harmed anybody in his entire life. Those pretending to indulge in crime because of the Prophet's love are criminals and need the harshest punishment as per the law."

A day after a man was beheaded in Udaipur for supporting Nupur Sharma, former BJP party leader Naveen Kumar Jindal on Wednesday claimed to have received an email warning him that a similar fate awaits fim.

In a letter to Delhi Police, Jindal said that he has received three emails replete with threats. The sender has threatened to slit his throat, he said.

Victim Kanhaiya Lal's postmortem is underway at the mortuary of the district government hospital, police said.

Curfew remained clamped in seven police station areas of the city on Wednesday and mobile Internet services suspended across all 33 districts of Rajasthan.

Heavy deployment of police has been made in the city.

"We're interrogating the accused and action will be taken against those whose names will come in the probe. Commissioner has assured the victim's family of compensation. There is peace now and appeal to people to maintain peace," says Dinesh MN, Additional DGP ACB, Rajasthan

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) condemned the cold-blooded murder of a tailor in Udaipur saying that "taking law into your own hands is highly condemnable, regrettable and un-Islamic".

In a media statement, Hazrat Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, General Secretary of AIMPLB said, "It is a grave crime to defame and slander any religious personality. The derogatory words spoken by (former) BJP spokesperson, Nupur Sharma against Prophet Muhammad are very painful for the Muslim community. The inaction of the government against this crime is nothing but rubbing salts on our wounds. But in spite of this, nobody can be allowed to take the law into their hands and declaring someone a criminal and then murdering them is a highly condemnable act."

Rajasthan LoP Gulab Chand Kataria visits MB Government Hospital in Udaipur, to meet the family of Kanhaiya Lal who was killed yesterday.

"Police should've provided protection when he asked for it & after his shop was closed for 4-5 days. It was a 100% failure of police," he says. 

Action will be taken against the accused. I appeal to everyone to have faith in the law. Law and order situation is under control. No incident has happened after the murder and the situation is completely under control: Manoj Kumar, SP Udaipur, Rajasthan

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot says Udaipur beheading "not an ordinary incident, we will seriously decipher the conspiracy & links to this killing. I'm going for a meeting & will let you know the outcome."

Financial compensation of Rs 31 lakhs will be given to the kin of Kanhaiya Lal, says Udaipur Divisional Commissioner Rajendra Bhatt

Sources said both the accused in the Udaipur murder case were brainwashed by some maulvis. 

The police are now searching for those maulvis for interrogations. Both the accused were also a part of several Islamic WhatsApp groups.

Reports Manish Bhattacharya

Sources said one of the accused is a native of Bhilwada. He had come to Udaipur in 2001 and used to work as a caretaker at a mosque. He used to stay in contact with maulvis and used to listed to their speeches over the internet. 

The second accused used to work at a factory.

Reports Manish Bhattacharya

Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav, RJD vice president Shivanand Tiwari and other leaders from Bihar condemned the barbaric broad daylight murder of a tailor in Rajasthan's Udaipur and demanded stringent punishment for the culprits.

The chief secretary will hold a high-level meeting over the Udaipur incident. Police officials have been asked to stay vigil.

Reports Sanjay

Condemning the murder of a tailor in Udaipur, Ajmer Dargah Deewan Zainul Abedin Ali Khan on Tuesday said that Muslims of India will never allow talibanisation mindset to surface in the country.

“No religion promotes violence against humanity. Especially, in the religion of Islam, all the teachings act as sources of peace,” Khan said in a statement.

“In the gruesome video that surfaced on the internet, some non-ethical minds committed a brutal attack on a poor man which is received as a punishable sin in the Islamic world,” he said.

Khan said that the accused were a part of certain radical groups that find solution only via the path of violence.

“I strongly discourage this act and plead the government to take a strict action against them. Muslims of India will never allow talibanisation mindset to surface in our motherland,” he said.

Bajrang Dal will hold protests against the Udaipur mruder case and will burn effigies today and tomorrow.

Reports Manish Bhattacharya

Due to security reasons, the police have taken both the arrested accused outside of Udaipur for interrogations into the case.

Reports Manish Bhattacharya

Sources have informed both the arrested accused in the Udaipur murder case were nabbed while they were on their way to Ajmer Sharif dargah. 

Both were associated with a group named 'Dawat-e-Islami'

Reports Manish Bhattacharya

The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday night dispatched a team of investigators of the anti-terror probe agency NIA to Rajasthan's Udaipur in the wake of killing of a tailor there, officials said.

Two men slit the throat of the tailor and posted a video on social media where they claimed that they are avenging an insult to Islam. This triggered communal tension in the Rajasthan city with curfew being imposed.

A team of the National Investigation Agency has been sent to Udaipur, officials said.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) termed the killing of a tailor in Rajasthan's Udaipur district as a "challenge" to the country's sovereignty as well as the freedom of thoughts and idea of secularism.

"They perpetrated the gory incident and showed the audacity of threatening the prime minister of India with death while brandishing knives in front of the camera," VHP working president Alok Kumar noted in a video message.

He said it is a challenge to the "sovereignty of India, values of liberalism, freedom of thoughts, secularism.

The Centre is treating the gruesome killing of a tailor in Udaipur on Tuesday as a terror attack and has dispatched a probe team that included officials of the anti-terror agency NIA as initial information suggested that the assailants could have had links with the ISIS, officials said.

The officials said the probe team would thoroughly investigate the case and carry out a background check of the two accused arrested.

"Prima-facie it seems to be a terror case and needs a thorough investigation which includes browsing through their social media profiles," a senior official said on condition of anonymity.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday condemned the murder of a tailor in Udaipur and said the killers must receive "exemplary punishment".

Taking to Twitter, Tharoor said, "I unreservedly condemn the horrific beheading of shopkeeper Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur by two Muslim youth, who then posted a gruesome video of the murder on social media."

Bigotry and violence have no place in our society, Tharoor said, adding that swift action "must be and is being taken".

"The killers must receive exemplary punishment. No one should have any illusion that they can get away with such crimes, whatever the provocation," he said.

ASI Bhanwar Lal posted at Dhan Mandi police station has been suspended for negligence at that time, Inspector General of Police, Udaipur, Hinglaj Dan said.

It is alleged that the ASI did not pay heed to the concern raised by Kanhaiya Lal regarding the threat calls that he was receiving, he said.

The ADG said that those who had come to mediate are also being interrogated.

Criticizing the Congress-led Rajasthan government over the beheading incident in Udaipur, former Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vasundhara Raje on Tuesday said the Ashok Gehlot government's policies of incitement and appeasement led to communal violence in the state.

"With the brutal murder of innocent youth in Udaipur, it has become clear that due to the instigation and appeasement of the state government, the morale of the criminals is high. Due to this policy of the state government, a situation of communal frenzy and violence has arisen in the state. Those people and organizations behind this incident should be exposed and arrested immediately," Raje said.

After a man was allegedly beheaded by two men in broad daylight in Udaipur, the Rajasthan government on Tuesday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.

The SIT includes the Additional Director General of Police (ADG), Special Operation Group Ashok Kumar Rathore, Inspector General of Police (IG), Anti Terror Squad (ATS), Prafulla Kumar and a Superintendant of Police (SP) rank officer and an Additional SP rank officer.

On June 10, a case was filed against victim Kanhaiya Lal for propagating objectionable remarks made against (Prophet) Muhammad. He was arrested and was bailed out... On June 15, he complained of death threat, police took action and called the concerned party threatening him: ADG(L&O), Jaipur

On June 15, the matter was resolved between both parties (Kanhaiya Lal &concerned people from the Muslim community)threatening him. They reached a compromise in writing that the misunderstanding has been cleared. We'll now probe concerned people on why the matter escalated: HS Ghumariya, ADG (L&O)

Ajmer SP Vikas Sharma has confirmed section 144 has been imposed in the entire state of Rajasthan for the next one month. 

"Shanti March has been cancelled. We appeal to the people to maintain peace. Leaves of police personnel cancelled & they have been asked to report back. They are being deployed in law & order duty," said Sharma. 

We appeal to the people of Udaipur to maintain peace... The (victim Kanhaiya Lal's) dependents have been assured of recruitment through placement service in UIT, and the family will be given compensation of Rs 5 lakhs: Rajendra Bhatt, Divisional Commissioner, Udaipur