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The Hindu
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Delhi High Court to examine if Centre has power to order cuts in Udaipur Files movie
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (July 30, 2025) asked the Centre if it had the authority to pass an order directing six cuts in the film Udaipur Files-Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder, while exercising revisional powers. 'You have to exercise the powers within the four corners of the statute. You can't go beyond that,' a Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said. The court posed the question after being informed that the Centre, while exercising its revisional powers under the Cinematograph Act, had suggested six cuts to the producers of the movie, in addition to a disclaimer. The court was also informed that the film has been recertified, but not issued to the producers, because the matter is pending in the High Court. The court was hearing a plea by Mohammed Javed, one of the accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case, objecting to the release of the film on the ground that it would prejudice his case during the trial. Senior advocate Maneka Guruswamy, representing Mr. Javed, submitted that six witnesses have been examined till now in the case and 160 witnesses remain. 'I was 19 years old when I was arrested. I am Accused No. 8 in the trial. I was released on bail by the Rajasthan High Court because there was no connection between me and the allegations. I am a citizen of this country and am entitled to a fair trial,' Ms. Guruswamy said. 'My right to a fair trial is jeopardised by the release of the film,' she argued. While Ms. Guruswamy concluded her arguments, the submissions of Additional Solicitor-General Chetan Sharma, who was representing the Centre and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), remained inconclusive and the court said it would continue the proceedings on August 1. Besides Mr. Javed's plea, another petition has been filed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani. It could not be heard due to the non-availability of the counsel. Kanhaiya Lal, an Udaipur-based tailor in Rajasthan, was murdered in June 2022, allegedly by Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous, for sharing a social media post in support of former BJP leader Nupur Sharma after her controversial comments on Prophet Mohammed. The trial is pending before the special NIA court in Jaipur.
Scroll.in
a day ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Delhi High Court questions Centre's jurisdiction to recommend six cuts in ‘Udaipur Files'
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Union government whether it had the jurisdiction to recommend six cuts in the Hindi film Udaipur Files, which is reportedly based on the 2022 killing of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal, Live Law reported. A division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela asked the government whether revisional powers granted by Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act allow the government to pass such an order. 'You have to exercise the powers within the four corners of the statute,' the court said. 'You can't go beyond that.' The film was originally scheduled to be released on July 11. The Delhi High Court had temporarily stayed the release on July 10 and directed the Union government to examine the film's content. The Centre had recommended six cuts to the film, besides directing that it should be released with a disclaimer. On Wednesday, the court questioned whether the Centre's actions ventured into it acting as an appellate authority instead of a revisional authority, The Indian Express reported. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the Centre and the Central Board of Film Certification, informed the court that the film had passed through a two-stage filter test, PTI reported. First, the censor board recommended 55 cuts, followed by an additional six cuts suggested by the review committee, bringing the total to 61 edits, Sharma said. Kanhaiya Lal killing In June 2022, Lal, a tailor, was killed in Rajasthan's Udaipur for purportedly sharing a social media post in support of suspended Bharatiya Janata Party Spokesperson Nupur Sharma. She had made disparaging remarks about Prophet Muhammad during a television debate in May 2022. The assailants and several other persons accused in the matter were arrested by the Rajasthan Police. A video showed two men claiming responsibility for the killing of Lal as they brandished the cleavers used in the murder. The murder case was investigated by the National Investigation Agency and the persons accused in the matter were charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. The trial is underway in a Special NIA Court in Jaipur. The High Court had stayed the release of Udaipur Files while hearing a batch of petitions, including one filed by Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani, seeking a ban on the film. The petitioners had alleged that the film is communally provocative and vilifies the Muslim community.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Re-certification of ‘Udaipur Files' pending, Delhi HC told
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court was on Monday informed that the producers of the film 'Udaipur Files - Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder' had applied to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for a re-certification of the movie which was likely to be considered soon. The producers further said the six cuts suggested by the Centre had been made in addition to a disclaimer. Noting the submission that the film's re-certification was pending and a request for adjournment was made on behalf of one of the petitioners, a bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela posted the hearing for July 30. The petitions were filed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani and Mohd Javed, who is an accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case. Two petitions related to the movie row came before the High Court post a Supreme Court direction. The top court directed the petitioners to move the high court against the Centre's revisional order of giving nod for the film's release. The producers of the film had moved the top court after a high court bench previously stayed the film's release. The apex court on July 25 said the film-makers' appeal against the high court order staying the film's release was infructuous for they had accepted the July 21 Centre nod for the film's release, subject to six cuts in its scenes and modifications in the disclaimer. After High Court on Monday asked the CBFC counsel whether the movie was re-certified, it was informed that the film was approved with some cuts. The counsel for the film producers said the movie was approved with six cuts and one disclaimer and the certification was pending. The bench noted since there was no re-certification till now, the producers couldn't release it without it. Observing there was no urgency, the court posted the hearing for July 30. Udaipur-based tailor Kanhaiya Lal was murdered in June 2022 allegedly by Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous. The assailants later released a video claiming the murder was in reaction to the tailor allegedly sharing a social media post in support of former BJP member Nupur Sharma following her controversial comments on Prophet Mohammed. The case was probed by the NIA and the accused were booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, besides provisions under the IPC. The trial is pending before the special NIA court in Jaipur.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Udaipur Files: HC informed about re-certification application for film
NEW DELHI: Delhi HC (HC) was informed Monday that the producers of the film 'Udaipur Files - Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder' had applied to , seeking re-certification, which was likely to be considered soon. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The producers stated that six cuts - as suggested by the Centre - had been made in the film, and a modified disclaimer had been included. Noting the submission that the film's re-certification was pending, and one of the petitioners had requested an adjournment, a bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela agreed to hear the matter on July 30. The petitions had been sent back to HC by Supreme Court (SC) hearing the plea of Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani and Mohd Javed, an accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case. SC asked the petitioners to move HC against the Centre's revisional order permitting the film's release. HC had earlier stayed the film's release, prompting its producers to approach SC. Last week, SC had pointed out that the filmmakers' appeal against the HC order staying the film's release no longer survived as they had accepted the July 21 Centre nod for the film's release, subject to six cuts in its scenes and modifications in the disclaimer. On Monday, when HC asked the Centre's counsel if the movie had been re-certified, it was informed that the film had been approved with six cuts and one disclaimer, and the certification was pending. Javed's counsel sought an assurance that the movie wouldn't be released till the next date of hearing. HC said until re-certification, the producers cannot release the film anyway. Udaipur-based tailor Kanhaiya Lal was murdered in June 2022.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Film ‘Udaipur Files' yet to be recertified by CBFC, producer tells Delhi HC
The Delhi high court on Monday refused to stall the release of the movie 'Udaipur Files', based on the 2022 brutal murder of a Rajasthan-based tailor Kanhaiya Lal, till July 30, noting that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is yet to recertify the film despite the Centre's suggested cuts being implemented. Poster of the movie 'Udaipur Files'. (Photo from X) The Centre had on July 21 cleared the movie's release, subject to the filmmaker carrying out six additional edits, in addition to the 55 cuts already implemented. A bench of chief justice DK Upadhyay and justice Tushar Rao Gedela rejected the request to stay the film's release after petitioner, Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani, sought a hearing on Wednesday, while co-petitioner Mohammed Javed, an accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case, requested a stay until then. The movie has been challenged for allegedly vilifying the Muslim community while Javed claims that his trial is at a crucial stage and the movie's release could prejudice his right to fair trial. The bench said that there was no urgency, since the movie could only be released pursuant to certification, which was yet to be granted. 'Please don't get overwhelmed. Argue the matter with ease. The movie will only be released after recertification. You (producer's counsel) say that it (recertification) is pending. As of today, there is no urgency. We can hear the matter the day after (on Wednesday). The film can only be exhibited after re-certification and thus there is no urgency,' the bench said to Javed's counsel Maneka Guruswamy. The petitions were listed before the high court, after the Supreme Court, while refusing to take a call on allowing the movie's release, had requested the Delhi high court to take up the matter on Monday. In its petition, argued by advocate Saumya Dwivedi, Javed asserted that the July 21 order was egregious since the Centre had simply accepted the recommendation of a committee comprising three advisory panel members from the CBFC, without any application of mind. It further stated that the procedure to constitute the Committee was based on a repealed law and was thus flawed. The Cinematograph Act, 1952, the petition stated, does not empower the CBFC to review its own decision. To be sure, the July 21 order was issued in response to the pleas filed by Madani and Javed, seeking cancellation of the film's certification, following the liberty granted by the high court on July 10. The high court on that day, had temporarily stayed the movie's release and allowed Madani to approach the Centre, regarding his concerns. 'The constitution of the committee by the Central Government, in the absence of any applicable provision, amounts to wrongful delegation of powers. The committee was the sole authority who heard and considered the submission of the parties, including the CEO of CBFC,' the petition stated. It added, 'Thereafter, the recommendation of this committee was accepted by the Central government without any application of mind and this amounts to CBFC adjudicating the validity of its own decision to certify the film for public exhibition.' Lal was murdered in June 2022 with a cleaver in Udaipur district of Rajasthan for allegedly sharing a social media post endorsing the disparaging remarks made against Prophet Muhammad by former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma. She made the comments while participating in a television debate in May 2022. The assailants, who were arrested by the Rajasthan police, even prepared a video claiming responsibility for the murder. They even displayed the weapon of offence used for the crime. Considering the sensitivity of the case, the matter was probed by the National Investigation Agency and the accused was charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The trial in the case is pending before a special NIA court in Jaipur.
