The Delhi High Court on Thursday stayed the release of Udaipur Files movie, which is based on tailor Kanhaiya Lal murder case, while allowing the Islamic clerics’ body Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind and other petitioners to approach the Centre for a review of the certification granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The film was scheduled to hit the screen on July 11. Lal, an Udaipur-based tailor in Rajasthan, was murdered in June 2022, allegedly by Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous, for “sharing” a social media post in support of former BJP leader Nupur Sharma after her controversial comments on Prophet Mohammad.
A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal directed the petitioners to approach the Centre within two days with their grievance. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind had moved the court alleging that the film “promotes hate speech and breaches the certification guidelines”. However, the CBFC informed the court that it had already ordered cuts which “effectively addressed the petitioners’ concerns”.
“The counsel for the petitioner has stated that the very intent of the movie is a complete vilification of a community, and it has a running theme portraying a community as being violent, responsible for causing riots and as being constantly in touch with terrorists in a neighbouring country. The film in its thematic expression shows persons belonging to a particular community in a negative light,” the court stated.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court clarified it did not pass any written order when it refused to urgently list the plea against the screening of movie. The clarification came after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mohammed Javed – an accused in the case – said a confusion arose due to a Bench’s remark, “Let the film be released.”
(With PTI inputs)
Published – July 11, 2025 01:15 am IST
