Supreme Court refuses to extend stay on release of 'Udaipur Files'; tells petitioners to approach Delhi HC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday declined to extend its stay on Hindi film 'Udaipur Files', based on the murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal Teli, but relegated those challenging its clearance to the Delhi High Court, which would consider the matter on Monday.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi also clarified it has not examined merits of the matter.

The court said the Delhi High Court would examine the challenge made Jamiat Ulema-i- Hind's Arshad Madani and others against the Centre's decision approving the film's release after suggesting six additional cuts.

The bench also noted the film producers' plea against the Delhi High Court's order has become infructuous after the Centre's high-powered committee examined the film and suggested six additional cuts which were agreed to by them.

The court refused a plea by senior advocate Kapil Sibal for Madani to stay the film's release till the High Court examined the matter.

"You first go to the High Court, the other side is satisfied with the central government order. So, please go to the High Court, why waste our time," the bench told the counsel.

During the hearing, senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia, appearing for the producer of the film, submitted every time in such matters, this court has ordered in favour of film release, the latest example is the 'Kerala Stories'.

"Let them go to the High Court. I have already lost 12 days. Revisional authority has passed the order," he said.

Sibal, however, said it would not be appropriate for the court to be granting any release to them.

Bhatia said there can't be a perfect film which will not hurt the sentiments of anyone. He said 55 plus 6 edits have been made as per the suggestion.

A counsel for an intervenor submitted that no violence has taken place after 'Kashmir Files'.

"This vilification theory is imaginary," he said asking, if any incidents occurred against Muslims after the release of 'the Kashmir Files', 'the Kerala Story' or even post-26/11.

“Was any Muslim targeted? Were Kashmiri Muslims harmed? This vilification theory is a figment of imagination,” the counsel said, maintaining that the social fabric remained intact.

Terming the claims of the petitioners as mountain out of molehill, he said, "They want us to believe this is more profound than Pahalgam or Pulwama.”

Bhatia contended every time the truth is depicted in a film, they act like a censor. "Vilification needs definition; hypersensitivity can’t dictate censorship," he said.

"We need to define what vilification means. Muslims in this country have been people of great virtue, but like any community, vices have emerged in recent years too," he said.

The bench, however, said these are thought-provoking arguments, but when a case comes through the proper legal route, such concerns can be addressed.

The counsel submitted this hypersensitivity syndrome must be checked by the highest court. "A clear message must go out, censorship of this kind cannot stand," he said.

Sibal, however, said, "This case is different, we have seen the film, we are challenging its content, not just clips. In previous cases, the court dealt with promos or excerpts. Here, our challenge is to the substance of the movie itself."

He contended this issue was squarely covered by the Supreme Court's judgment in Amish Devgan case and now there is a legal test for what constituted hate speech.

He said in the history of the court, no film has ever been banned after its release

The bench, however, said, "We will request the High Court to take up the matter on Monday and pass a brief, reasoned order."

The court clarified it has not gone into the merits and both parties are being relegated to the High Court.

On July 14, a committee was formed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to reconsider the certification of 'Udaipur Files'.

The committee reviewed the content of the film and recommended six additional changes beyond the 55 cuts already implemented by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The Delhi HC had on July 10 ordered the Central government to exercise its revisional powers under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act to examine the movie.

A batch of three petitions, including one filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani, were filed before the High Court seeking a ban on the movie based on tailor Kanhaiya Lal Teli's murder in Udaipur, for vilifying Muslims. The movie was slated to be released on July 11.

The bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal of the High Court asked the petitioners to approach the Central government and stayed the movie release in the meantime.

The movie was said to be based on killing of tailor Kanhaiya Lal for supporting Nupur Sharma in June, 2022. The macabre act by the religious fanatics was recorded on camera, sending shockwaves across the country.