The Supreme Court on Wednesday deferred the hearing of the controversial film ‘Udaipur Files – Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder’ till July 21 and advised the filmmakers to await the Centre-appointed panel’s decision on the matter. The panel, formed to address objections against the film, is scheduled to convene at 2:30 PM the same day. The court emphasized that while monetary loss to filmmakers could be remedied, reputational damage to the accused in the ongoing murder case would be irreversible if the film is released prematurely.
The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, was responding to a petition challenging the Delhi High Court’s July 10 order that stayed the film’s release. The High Court had intervened following multiple petitions, including one from Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani, citing fears that the movie’s dialogues and narrative could incite communal unrest similar to what was witnessed in 2022. The court directed the Centre’s committee to promptly hear all stakeholders, including the accused in the murder case, and deliver its decision without delay.
The film, originally slated for release on July 11, portrays the 2022 murder of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal, who was allegedly killed for sharing a post in support of Nupur Sharma after her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammed. The murder, carried out by Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous, was later circulated via video on social media. The case is under trial in a special NIA court in Jaipur, with the accused booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code. The Supreme Court’s cautious approach reflects the high sensitivity surrounding the film’s social and legal implications.
