A 40-year-old tailor in Udaipur, Kanhaiyalal Teli, was on Tuesday beheaded for posting on social media a comment in support of Nupur Sharma, the BJP spokesperson who was suspended by the party after worldwide outcry over her post against Prophet Muhammad.
The two accused, who claimed responsibility for the murder and filmed it, were later arrested from the Rajsamand area. The two – who identified themselves as Mohammad Riyaz Akhtari and Mohammad – also allegedly threatened Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the video.
Here's a timeline of the events:
Days before he was killed, the tailor Kanhaiya Lal had made a social media post in support of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma.
Soon after his remark was arrested by the Udaipur police. However, he was soon released on bail.
The victim soon started receiving death threats and approached police for protection. However, according to his relatives, his complaint was not taken seriously.
On June 28, the tailor was beheaded in broad daylight and the incident was filmed by the accused.
In the video clip posted on social media, one of the purported assailants threatened Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that their knife will get him as well.
As the video circulated, locals from the area stopped police from taking away the body, saying they will allow its removal only after the murderers are arrested and a compensation of Rs 50 lakh and a government job is given to the victim’s family.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs ordered a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to go to Udaipur. The accused are reportedly influenced by a Pak-based organization, the Dawat-i-Islami.
Rajasthan police on Tuesday evening arrested two persons for the gruesome killing. The arrested persons have been identified as Gos Mohammad, son Rafiq Mohammed, and Riaz, son of Abdul Jabbar, both residents of Surajpol area in Udaipur.
A curfew was declared in seven police station areas of the city on Wednesday and mobile Internet services suspended across all 33 districts of Rajasthan.
The Home Ministry on Wednesday directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the investigation of brutal murder of a tailor in Udaipur and probe involvement of any organisation and international links.
Calling the crime 'heinous,' Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who was in Jodhpur, returned to Jaipur and will hold a meeting with officers to review the situation.
