The Supreme Court Today (July 9) refused to urgently stop the release of ‘Udaipur Files’, a film based on the killing of Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur. The petition by an accused claiming unfair trial was denied immediate hearing.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India refused to urgently hear and stop the release of the upcoming movie ‘Udaipur Files’, which is based on the tragic murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal Teli in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
The movie is set to release on July 11.
A vacation bench comprising Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard the matter on Wednesday.
The plea had been filed by Mohammed Javed, one of the accused in the murder case. He approached the apex court seeking to delay or block the release of the movie, claiming it could affect his right to a fair trial.
The Supreme Court, however, declined urgent listing of the matter and gave liberty to the petitioner to raise the issue again when the court reopens after the summer break on July 14.
“Mention before court concerned on reopening. Let it be released,”
-the Bench said, clearly refusing to interfere with the film’s release at this stage.
According to the petitioner’s counsel, the movie only shows one side of the incident, which is the prosecution’s version, and that could create a biased opinion in the public even before the trial concludes.
“It is releasing on Friday. Trailer was released on July 4. They are showing only prosecution side,”
-the counsel argued before the court.
The bench was not convinced and allowed the movie to be released as scheduled.
The film focuses on the shocking murder of Kanhaiya Lal, who was brutally beheaded in broad daylight by two men in Udaipur. The attackers also recorded the murder and shared the horrifying video online.
This act was reportedly carried out in retaliation after Kanhaiya Lal allegedly made a social media post supporting Nupur Sharma, a BJP spokesperson who had made controversial remarks about Prophet Muhammad.
The investigation of this gruesome case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). A total of 11 people were booked in relation to the crime.
The plea filed by accused Mohammed Javed (Accused No. 8) argues that the movie may disturb communal peace and also influence the ongoing trial.
As per the petition,
“The trailer and promotional material of the said film contain content that is provocative and communally sensitive, which has the potential to disturb the religious harmony of the country and interfere with the ongoing judicial proceedings, as the matter is currently sub judice before a Special NIA Court.”
The accused pointed out that the trial has not concluded, and any portrayal of them as guilty in the film could seriously impact their legal rights.
“Releasing such a trailer at this juncture, portraying the accused as guilty and the story as conclusively true, has the potential to seriously prejudice the ongoing proceedings. It compromises the presumption of innocence and risks influencing public opinion in a manner that could affect the fairness of the trial. This directly impacts the right to a free and fair trial of the Petitioner, as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,”
-the plea stated.
The petitioner has requested the Supreme Court to stop the movie’s release and cancel the censor certificate already issued by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The plea was filed through lawyers Pyoli and Ejaz Qureshi.
In a related development, another petition against the film, filed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind, is also pending before the Delhi High Court.
Background
Kanhaiya Lal, a Hindu tailor from Udaipur, was murdered in broad daylight in June 2022. The accused—Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous—filmed the act and circulated a video where they claimed that the murder was done in revenge.
They alleged that Kanhaiya Lal had supported former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on social media. Sharma had made controversial remarks about the Prophet, which had led to widespread outrage.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the investigation of this high-profile case. Several serious charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) were filed against the accused. The case is currently being tried in the Special NIA Court in Jaipur, and the legal proceedings are still ongoing.
Mohammed Javed, one of the accused, now says that the movie could create a public narrative that might harm his legal defense. He wants the movie to be stopped until the verdict is delivered. However, as of now, the Supreme Court has allowed the release, and the film ‘Udaipur Files’ is set to hit the screens as planned.
YESTERSDAY IN DELHI HC
Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani Yesterday (July 8) filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, asking for a stay on the release of the upcoming movie ‘Udaipur Files’, which is based on the killing of tailor Kanhaiya Lal Sahu in Udaipur.
The film is set to be released on July 11.
According to the petition, the trailer of the film wrongly shows that leaders of the Muslim community were involved in the murder. This could create tension between Hindus and Muslims in the country.
“The trailer seeks to portray an entire community in a prejudicial manner thereby violating the right to live with dignity for the members of the community. The movie is of highly provocative nature, capable of creating a wedge between the communities which may cause serious disturbance to public peace and public order across the country,”
-the plea says.
The petitioner has stated that the movie presents a harmful and provocative story which can increase hatred and disturb law and order.
ALSO READ: “What About Kanhaiya Lal?” SC Asked PIL Petitioner
The content of the trailer has been described as very damaging for Hindu-Muslim unity.
“The content of the trailer not only appears to specifically target the Muslim community, by depicting a highly prejudicial and distorted view in order to promote a complete breakage of fraternity, cause communal disharmony, but also deliberately references the sensitive and contentious issue of the Gyanvapi Masjid, which is presently sub judice before the District Court of Varanasi as well as before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.”
The petition also highlights that the movie brings up a controversial statement made earlier by BJP leader Nupur Sharma, which had triggered major communal unrest across India.
“By reviving and amplifying content that has previously led to communal unrest, the film undermines the spirit of fraternity and endangers the secular and pluralistic fabric of the nation, warranting urgent judicial intervention,”
-the plea adds.
It further alleges that the movie shows extremely disturbing scenes, including the portrayal of Muslim religious figures in homosexual relationships with underage boys, which is not only offensive but dangerous for social harmony.
“Artistic expression, no matter how evocative, cannot be permitted to become a vehicle to crush fraternity and uproot the ethical foundations of the nation as enshrined in the Constitution,”
-the petition argues.
Therefore, the petitioner has asked the Delhi High Court to immediately stop the release, screening, and sharing of the movie in any form—be it in cinemas, online, or on television.
The petition also urges the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to take action to remove the film’s trailer from platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).
The petition includes the film’s director, producer, distributor Reliance Entertainment Pvt Ltd, and digital platforms such as Google, Meta, and X as parties in the case.
The matter is expected to be heard in court on Wednesday, July 9.
CASE TITLE:
Maulana Arshad Madani Vs Union Of India & Ors.
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