Supreme Court Allows Release of Controversial Film 'Udaipur Files'

Supreme Court Decision on 'Udaipur Files'

On Friday, the Supreme Court decided not to prolong the stay on the release of the Hindi film Udaipur Files, which is said to be inspired by the 2022 murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur, as reported by various news outlets.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi advised the petitioners to seek recourse from the Delhi High Court regarding the Union government's directive that permitted the film's release with six cuts.

Originally set for release on July 11, the film's debut was halted by the Delhi High Court on June 10, which instructed the Union government to review its content.

The Centre suggested that the film be released with a disclaimer, according to reports.

The bench remarked, 'You should first approach the High Court; the other party is content with the central government's decision. Therefore, please proceed to the High Court and avoid wasting our time.'

The Supreme Court clarified that it was not making any judgments on the case's merits and indicated that the High Court should address the issue promptly.

In June 2022, Kanhaiya Lal was murdered in Udaipur for allegedly sharing a social media post supporting suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, who had made controversial remarks about Prophet Muhammad during a televised debate.

The Rajasthan Police arrested the assailants and others involved in the case, with a video showing two men claiming responsibility for the murder while displaying the weapons used.

The National Investigation Agency is handling the murder case, with the accused facing charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. The trial is currently ongoing in a Special NIA Court in Jaipur.

The High Court had previously stayed the film's release while considering a series of petitions, including one from Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani, who sought a ban on the film, claiming it incites communal tensions and disparages the Muslim community.

Just a day before the ruling, the Supreme Court reviewed a writ petition from Mohammed Javed, one of the eight accused in the murder case, who argued that the film's release would infringe upon his right to a fair trial and requested a postponement until the trial concluded. He contended that the film appeared to be provocatively communal based on its trailer.

The Supreme Court responded by stating that the petition could be brought before the appropriate bench when the court reconvened on July 14 after the summer recess, allowing the film to be released in the interim.