The Case of Udaipur Killing

What is the issue?

Mohammad Riyaz and Ghouse Mohammad were accused of hacking tailor Kanhaiya Lal Teli to death in Udaipur.

What is the case about?

• The victim, Kanhaiya Lal, had shared posts in support of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma, who had made offensive remarks against the Prophet in a television debate last month.
• He was earlier booked in connection with his post by the city police and told the police that he feared danger to his life.
• One of the assailants, identified as Riyaz, attacked Kanhaiya Lal with a sharp weapon while the other recorded the crime on his mobile phone.
• The murderers filmed the incident and posted the video on social media.

To know more about the Nupur Sharma issue, click here

What does this incident signify?

• Nature of the crime- The manner in which the violence was perpetuated and the premeditated nature of the murder itself points to the peak of a communal volcano that India has climbed up.
• Rising communal hostility- The rising communal hostility can be witnessed throughout the country.
• Trigger more communal violence- The Udaipur killing marks a major turn in the communal situation in India, and could potentially trigger more such violence.
• Role of police- There were criticisms against the police for the lethargic attitude towards the threat faced by Kanhaiya Lal.

Sections 153A and 505 of IPC deal with inflammatory speeches and expressions.

What actions were taken aftermath the incident?

• The two accused were arrested and FIR was lodged under sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) as well as IPC section 302 (murder).
• Tension prevailed in Udaipur, where the markets were closed and mobile internet services were suspended to check the spread of rumours.
• Curfew was imposed in seven police station areas of the city as a preventive measure.
• The protesters were assured that financial assistance would be given to the next of kin of the victim as per the State government’s norms.
• Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said that the investigation would be carried out under the case officer scheme.
• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the case to explore if there was a terror angle.
• The Rajasthan police have linked one of the two who killed a tailor in Udaipur to the Da’wat-e-Islami (DeI).

DeI is a Sunni Barelvi proselytising group that was founded in Pakistan four decades ago. The Da’wat-e Islami in India, based in Mumbai, is a breakaway Sunni group and has no links to the DeI Pakistan.

What is Research Case Officer Scheme that was mentioned by the Rajasthan CM?

• Need for the scheme- Due to the fear of professional criminals, people are not able to testify against the criminal and this makes it difficult for them to get punishment.
• Keeping this situation in mind, the Research Case Officer Scheme was started by the Rajasthan Police in 2004.
• Key features of the scheme- In this scheme, criminals are named as hardcore criminals.
  • Criminals do not get bail easily
  • Can get punishment after the completion of the trial soon
  • Cases are selected in which maximum punishment can be given
• Role of case officer- The case officer keeps an eye on the aspects related to any crime and ensure that the evidence produced in the court is presented in time without any problem.
• The case officer also takes the witnesses to the court, being present there during the hearing etc.
• The responsibilities of the Police Officer, Superintendent of Police etc. have been fixed so that they can get the culprit punished at the earliest.

References

1. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/blaring-red-the-hindu-editorial-on-the-udaipur-tailor-killing/article65582542.ece
2. https://jsnewstimes.com/knowledge/udaipur-incident-what-is-this-case-officer-scheme-under-which-action-will-be-taken-against-both-the-youths
3. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-who-are-the-dawate-islami-sunni-group-udaipur-kanhaiyalal-murderer-7999387/
4. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/tailor-murdered-in-rajasthans-udaipur-assailants-film-crime/article65576740.ece