NEW DELHI, AUGUST 1, 2025 — The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Central government to re-examine the film Udaipur Files by August 6 (Wednesday). The film is based on the 2022 murder of Rajasthan-based tailor Kanhaiya Lal and has faced legal challenges over its alleged communal content.
The directive was issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, following the government’s submission that it would withdraw its earlier order for cuts in the movie and take a fresh decision in accordance with law.
BACKGROUND: UDAIPUR FILES AND LEGAL CONTROVERSY
Udaipur Files is a movie dramatizing the killing of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor who was murdered in June 2022 after he posted a WhatsApp status supporting then-BJP leader Nupur Sharma for her controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad. The film was initially slated for a July 11 release, but the Delhi High Court stayed the release and directed a re-examination under the Cinematograph Act.
The case reached the Supreme Court, but the apex court refused to interfere with the High Court’s direction. Following that, a committee constituted by the Central government examined the movie and recommended cuts, which the government then asked the producers to implement. This led to a fresh round of legal challenges.
HIGH COURT QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT’S LEGAL AUTHORITY
The Court expressed strong reservations about the Centre’s authority to impose such changes under its revisional jurisdiction.
“Where did you derive this power…where is your authority to make a recommendation to the Board to revise? Is there any authority to available to you?” the Bench asked.
ASG Chetan Sharma, representing the Central government, referred to the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules. However, the Court countered:
“Any reference to Rule 22, 23, 25 the manner in which revisional power is to be exercised is highly misplaced.”
Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy, representing Mohammed Javed, one of the accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case, argued that the Centre had overstepped its legal limits:
“The Central government cannot suggest cuts, modify dialogue, disclaimer, basically become film board like in this case. The Central government does not have the statutory power to become a master director of this film by saying ‘remove certain dialog, remove certain disclaimers, use these words in the disclaimer, change the content of this, I’m going to make a few cuts and you release the film’.”
COURT DIRECTS RE-EXAMINATION AND HEARING OF ALL PARTIES
Since the movie producers informed the court of their intent to release the film on August 8, the Bench directed the Centre to:
Hear all stakeholders — including those in support and against the film — on August 4 (Monday)
Take a fresh decision regarding the film’s release by August 6 (Wednesday)
PLEA BY JAMIAT ULEMA-E-HIND AND ACCUSED
The petitions challenging the movie’s release were filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani and Mohammed Javed, one of the accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case. They argued that the film vilifies Muslims and may prejudice the ongoing trial, thereby violating the accused’s right to a fair trial.
Centre Agrees to Fresh Decision; Producers Seek Urgency
Following the court’s questioning, ASG Chetan Sharma admitted:
“The decision can be set aside by the Court and fresh decision will be taken by the Union government in accordance with the law.”
However, the counsel for the producers raised concerns over potential delays. Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia stated:
“It can be done within 24 hours.”
He also warned that:
“Otherwise, the movie cannot be released for the next six months.”
NEXT HEARING AND POSSIBLE RELEASE
Next Government Hearing: August 4, 2025 (Monday)
Deadline for Decision: August 6, 2025 (Wednesday)
Proposed Release Date by Producers: August 8, 2025 (Friday)
