More than three years have passed since the brutal beheading of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal Teli, yet the pursuit of justice appears to be a long and painful journey for his family. The lack of consistent court proceedings, procedural delays, and absence of a dedicated National Investigation Agency (NIA) judge for six months have severely slowed down one of the most heinous and ideologically motivated murder trials in recent Indian history.

The gruesome incident, which took place on June 28, 2022, sent shockwaves across the nation. Two assailants, Riyaz Attari and Ghaus Mohammad, entered Kanhaiya Lal’s small tailoring shop in Old Udaipur and beheaded him on camera, uploading the disturbing footage online. The attack was in retaliation to a social media post where Kanhaiya Lal had expressed support for now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, who had made controversial remarks about Prophet Muhammad.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case within days, branding it an act of terrorism. Despite the agency’s quick action, arresting not only the two killers but also nine others allegedly part of a wider radical network, the judicial process has dragged on painfully.

Delays in the Judicial Process

Though a 1,000-page chargesheet was filed under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and IPC Section 302 (murder) in January 2023, the trial in the Special NIA Court in Jaipur has seen intermittent hearings. According to official reports, only 6 of 166 prosecution witnesses have been examined, while Kanhaiya Lal’s son, Yash Sahu, claims about 14–15 witnesses may have appeared so far.

The main reasons behind the delay include:

• No dedicated NIA judge for over six months, causing the case to come to a standstill.

• Judicial backlog common across India’s courts, including the special NIA court in Jaipur.

• Procedural bottlenecks such as frequent adjournments and transfer of presiding judges.

• The complexity of the case, with 11 accused, vast digital and forensic evidence, and nearly 166 witnesses.

Victim’s Family Protests and Pleas

Kanhaiya Lal’s son Yash Sahu has been protesting barefoot for over three years, refusing to wear shoes until his father receives justice. “I won’t wear footwear till my father gets justice,” he stated. A minister once offered him a pair of shoes during a visit, but Yash declined.

The family’s patience is being tested by the lethargy of the system. Despite the fact that the crime was caught on video, the trial has made minimal progress, giving rise to concerns over the effectiveness of India’s terror-related judicial mechanisms.

Political and Legal Sensitivities

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticized the BJP-led state government over the lack of urgency in the case, highlighting that only six witnesses have deposed in three years. This is particularly notable as the murder occurred during Gehlot’s administration. The case has also come under new public scrutiny due to the controversy surrounding the film "The Udaipur Files", which is based on the incident.

The Delhi High Court recently stayed the release of the film, pending a decision from the Centre. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other groups have voiced their concern about how the judicial process is lagging behind public discourse and media coverage of the event.

NIA Court Status and Future Outlook

After months of stagnation, the Rajasthan High Court has now appointed Pravendra Pal Singh as the new judge for the Special NIA Court handling the case. Hearings are expected to resume following the court’s summer break, but serious doubts remain about whether the pace of the trial will improve.

According to Vikramaditya Ujjwal, the lawyer representing the victim’s family, one of the primary causes of delay has been the lack of a dedicated NIA judge. He also blamed the defense lawyers’ repeated requests for adjournments. “We are not even at 10% of the witness depositions. At this pace, justice will take years, if it comes at all,” he said.

Public Disillusionment and Legal Uncertainty

The trial's delays have led to growing disillusionment, not just among the victim’s family, but also in public perception. Despite the overwhelming video evidence, confessions, and documented ideological links of the killers with extremist networks, justice remains elusive.

In addition, the case highlights structural issues in India’s terror-related trials, such as overburdened special courts, lack of resources, and political pressures, especially in communal or high-profile cases.

The NIA’s role, though swift in investigation, ends with the filing of chargesheets. Beyond that, the case enters the slow machinery of the judiciary, where progress depends heavily on judicial resources, administrative efficiency, and courtroom logistics.

The Road Ahead

The question now is: will the appointment of a new NIA judge finally put the case back on track? With over 150 witnesses still to be examined and multiple defendants to face trial, the path to justice is long and complex.

For now, the family of Kanhaiya Lal holds on to hope, praying that the renewed focus brought about by “The Udaipur Files” will resurrect public and institutional interest in the case. They await a day when their father’s killers are convicted and punished, not just in media headlines, but in a court of law.

Until then, the case of Kanhaiya Lal Teli stands as a sobering example of how justice delayed can indeed feel like justice denied.

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