Delhi High Court Permits Release of ‘Udaipur Files’; Film Based on Kanhaiya Lal Murder to Hit Theatres Today
The Delhi High Court on Thursday declined a petition filed by one of the accused in the murder case, Mohd Javed, who challenged the certification of the film.
The Delhi High Court has refused to halt the release of Udaipur Files, a film inspired by the Kanhaiya Lal murder case.
The movie is set to be released in theatres on Friday (August 8). The court rejected a plea submitted by one of the accused, Mohd Javed, against the order that approved the film’s certification.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela delivered the order, stating that the petitioner failed to present a prima facie case in his favour.
“The producer has already spent his life savings on this project, and halting its release now would upset the balance of convenience. Once a film is certified by the Board and its screening does not interfere with the ongoing trial, we are unable to grant a stay on its release,” the bench observed.
A day prior, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had dismissed all revision pleas that had challenged the film’s certification, thereby paving the way for its public screening.
While permitting the release of the film, the High Court remarked that the screening would not cause any damage. “The trial will be conducted by a competent judge who will not be influenced. The petitioner has not shown how an irreparable injury would be caused if the release is allowed. Hence, the request to halt the release is rejected,” the court ruled.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the film’s release could potentially impact the fairness of the trial.
“The right to a fair trial is of utmost importance. Witnesses are yet to be examined. The movie will prejudice the legal proceedings. Dialogues have been taken directly from the charge sheet. The title itself references Kanhaiya Lal’s murder, which may influence the outcome of the trial,” said senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing on behalf of the accused.
The government’s counsel, opposing the plea, stated that the authorities had exercised due diligence while approving the film for release.
“This is as impartial and transparent a process as possible,” the counsel asserted.
Meanwhile, the counsel representing the film’s producers informed the court that audience bookings had already begun.
“The film is scheduled to release tomorrow. The producer has invested his entire savings in this film, which is a valid exercise of his freedom of expression. The accused’s name or specific involvement has not been mentioned anywhere in the film,” stated senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia, representing the producer.
Bhatia, who also serves as a national spokesperson for the BJP, later described the court’s ruling as a major victory for truth and free speech.
“Big Win. A significant decision from the Honourable High Court in the Udaipur Files matter! Kudos to my excellent legal team. The court has refused to stay the release. This is a win for truth, a win for the right to express,” Bhatia posted on X.
