Petitions challenge government’s approval for release of movie based on Kanhaiya Lal’s murder. CBFC re-certification request by producers also under consideration.
New Delhi: Today, on July 28, the Delhi High Court has said it will hear on July 30 the two petitions challenging the Central Government’s approval for the release of the film “Udaipur Files – Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder.” The film is based on the shocking murder of Udaipur-based tailor Kanhaiya Lal, who was killed in June 2022.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela agreed to list the matter for hearing after one of the petitioners requested an adjournment. The bench stated it would now take up the petitions on Wednesday.
The court was also told that the producers of the film have applied to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for re-certification. The CBFC is likely to consider this application shortly.
These petitions have been filed by Maulana Arshad Madani, the President of Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind, and Mohd Javed, who is one of the accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case.
They are opposing the government’s approval for the release of the movie, alleging that it could affect the ongoing legal proceedings and create public unrest.
Earlier, the Supreme Court of India had directed the petitioners to move the Delhi High Court instead.
The apex court on July 25 said that the film producers’ appeal against the high court’s earlier stay order had become “infructuous” because they had accepted the Centre’s July 21 approval for the film’s release, which was subject to specific conditions.
The court said the producers had agreed to
“six cuts in its scenes and modifications in the disclaimer.”
The brutal murder of Kanhaiya Lal took place in June 2022. He was allegedly killed by Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous after he reportedly posted in support of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, who had made controversial remarks about Prophet Mohammed.
After the murder, the assailants shared a disturbing video online, claiming that their act was a “reaction” to the tailor’s social media post supporting Nupur Sharma.
The case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for investigation. The accused were charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The criminal trial is still ongoing before a special NIA court in Jaipur.
The upcoming High Court hearing on July 30 will now be crucial in determining whether the film can be released as scheduled or if further legal obstacles lie ahead.
Background of the Case
The case revolves around the film “Udaipur Files”, which is based on the real-life murder of Kanhaiya Lal Teli that took place in June 2022 in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor, was brutally killed in broad daylight by two assailants who claimed they were avenging a social media post that supported comments made about the Prophet.
The murder shocked the nation and was widely seen as an act of religious extremism.
Following the incident, multiple individuals were arrested and charges were filed under terrorism laws. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the probe.
While the criminal trial is still ongoing, the film “Udaipur Files” was announced, which aims to portray the events surrounding the murder and its aftermath.
Objections were raised by some of the accused and activists, arguing that the film might influence public perception, damage communal harmony, and most importantly, prejudice the fair trial rights of those accused in the murder case.
A petition was filed in the Delhi High Court, which led to a temporary stay on the film’s release. The film’s producer later challenged this stay order in the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, concerns were also raised about the certification process of the film by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), with allegations of political bias in the committee and questions on whether the Centre had the authority to suggest cuts.
Click Here to Read Our Reports on Tailor Kanhaiya Lal
