Supreme Court has asked petitioners to approach Delhi High Court over the challenge to Udaipur Files release. The film, based on tailor Kanhaiya Lal’s murder, faces objections for allegedly vilifying Muslims.
New Delhi: Today, on July 25, the Supreme Court asked the petitioners challenging the release of the film Udaipur Files to go back to the Delhi High Court for further hearing. The movie is based on the murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur, Rajasthan, in June 2022.
A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi made this direction after the Central Government had allowed the release of the film but with certain changes.
The Supreme Court said,
“You may approach the Delhi High Court for further relief now.”
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had stayed the release of the movie after a petition was filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani and Mohammed Javed, one of the accused in the murder case.
They argued that the movie, Udaipur Files, portrays the Muslim community in a bad light and could cause communal tensions.
Following this, the High Court asked the Central Government to re-examine the movie using its powers under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act.
This section allows the government to review a film even after it has been certified for public viewing.
In response, the movie producers moved the Supreme Court, seeking permission to release the film. The top court then allowed the Central Government to carry out the review.
After the review, the government-appointed panel suggested some modifications, and the producers agreed to make them. Following the changes, the government gave a green signal for the release of the film.
But the petitioners – Maulana Madani and Mohammed Javed – were not satisfied with this decision and once again challenged the clearance given to the film.
They then moved the Supreme Court, which has now directed them to approach the Delhi High Court again.
The Supreme Court observed that since the Central Government has taken a decision after review, the matter should now be handled by the High Court.
The Bench said,
“Now that the Central Government has passed an order, you are at liberty to challenge it before the High Court.”
The film was originally scheduled for release on July 11, 2024, but the Delhi High Court stayed its release just days before. The petitioners had argued that the movie vilifies an entire community and may disturb public peace.
Kanhaiya Lal, the man whose murder is at the center of the film, was a tailor in Udaipur who had reportedly posted a WhatsApp status in support of BJP leader Nupur Sharma.
Sharma had made controversial remarks about Prophet Mohammad, which led to widespread protests. Days later, on June 28, 2022, Kanhaiya Lal was killed by two men who filmed the murder and claimed it was revenge for the WhatsApp status.
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.
The matter has now reached the Supreme Court, where arguments are being made balancing the constitutional right to free speech under Article 19(1)(a) with the right to a fair trial under Article 21.
Case Title:
(1) MOHAMMED JAVED Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(C) No. 647/2025
(2) JANI FIREFOX MEDIA PVT. LTD v. MAULANA ARSHAD MADANI AND ORS, SLP(C) No. 18316/2025
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