Supreme Court agrees to hear plea on ‘Udaipur Files’ release

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea seeking the lifting of the stay over the release of the movie ‘Udaipur Files’.

The plea was mentioned by Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia on behalf of the producer of the movie, who stated that the CBFC has already approved the said film and its non-release is violating his fundamental right.

The Delhi High Court recently stayed the release of the movie one day before its official release date. The Delhi High Court on Thursday, July 10, ordered a stay on the release of the film. The stay will remain in effect until the Central Government decides on the revision application filed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind against the certification granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The producers of the movie ‘Udaipur Files’ moved the Supreme Court on July 14 challenging Delhi High Court’s order to stay the release of movie.

After a lengthy hearing on July 10, the High Court stayed the release of the movie while asking the petitioners to approach the… pic.twitter.com/dAcNYcYugE

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A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal passed the interim order while hearing two petitions, one by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind and another by journalist Prashant Tandon, challenging the CBFC’s decision to grant certification to the film.

The petitioners argued that the film’s release could disturb communal harmony and pose a serious threat to public order, given the sensitive nature of the subject. The court observed that since the petitioners had been relegated to invoke the revisional remedy under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the release of the film must remain stayed until a decision is made on their application for interim relief.

“We provide that till the grant of interim relief is decided, there shall be a stay on the release of the film”, the bench stated.

‘Udaipur Files’ is based on the 2022 murder of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor in Udaipur, Rajasthan, who was brutally killed in broad daylight by two men allegedly angered by a social media post in support of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.

The incident had triggered national outrage and raised serious concerns about radicalisation and communal violence.The petitioners contended that the film sensationalises the incident and may further inflame tensions. They also raised concerns over the timing of the release, just ahead of upcoming elections in several states.

The court, while not going into the merits of the film itself, held that the legal procedure for challenging CBFC certification must be followed and ensured that no irreparable damage occurs in the interim. (ANI)