The Delhi High Court has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, to examine multiple petitions related to the film 'Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder'. The court was informed during Monday’s hearing that a fresh Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certificate has not yet been issued for the film. In light of this, an adjournment was requested.
A division bench comprising Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela remarked that the movie cannot be released without a valid CBFC certificate. “Since an adjournment has been sought, list the matter for the day after tomorrow,” the bench directed. During the proceedings, the bench questioned the counsel representing CBFC, asking, “Has a re-certificate been issued by CBFC?” The counsel responded that a revised application had been submitted after incorporating cuts recommended by the Central Government on July 21, but the updated certificate is still pending.
At the outset of the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, appearing for the Central Government, along with senior advocates Gaurav Bhatia and Pulkit Agarwal, representing the film’s producer, submitted that the Supreme Court has not granted any stay on the release of the movie. They urged the High Court to proceed with hearing the matter.
On the opposing side, senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, assisted by Advocate Piyoli, appeared on behalf of Mohd. Javed, who is one of the accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case and is currently out on bail. Guruswamy argued that releasing the film at this stage would prejudice Javed’s right to a fair trial and posed a threat to his personal safety. As the arguments grew tense, the bench intervened, asking all counsel to present their submissions one at a time. “Please don't overwhelm your arguments. It is a case. Keep it simple,” the court advised.
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Earlier, on July 25, the Supreme Court had returned the petitions related to the movie’s release back to the Delhi High Court for further consideration. Following this, the parties approached the Central Government as directed by the High Court, and the film producer implemented the recommended changes and applied for a new CBFC certificate.
Notably, on July 10, the Delhi High Court had granted a stay on the film’s release, which was originally scheduled to hit theatres on July 11. The interim stay was to remain in effect until the Central Government resolved a revision application filed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind challenging the CBFC’s initial approval of the film.
The stay was ordered by a bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal while hearing two petitions — one by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind and another by journalist Prashant Tandon. Both petitioners opposed the film’s certification, arguing that its release could disturb communal harmony and pose a serious threat to public order, given the sensitive and volatile subject matter.
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The High Court had noted that, since the petitioners had been directed to pursue their remedy under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the release must remain halted until their request for interim relief was reviewed. “We provide that till grant of interim relief is decided, there shall be a stay on release of the film,” the court said in its earlier order.
The movie “Udaipur Files” is based on the 2022 murder of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor in Udaipur, Rajasthan. He was brutally murdered in broad daylight by two men who were allegedly enraged by a social media post in support of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. The killing had triggered nationwide outrage and brought attention to growing concerns about radicalisation and communal violence in India.
Petitioners have contended that the film sensationalises the incident, and its release could provoke further unrest. They also pointed to the timing of the release, noting that it comes ahead of several upcoming state elections, which they argued could amplify its political impact. While the Court has refrained from commenting on the merits of the film, it has reiterated the importance of following due legal process in contesting CBFC decisions and safeguarding against irreparable damage during the interim.
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