New Delhi, July 14 (UNI) The producers of the movie ‘Udaipur Files’ moved the Supreme Court today challenging the Delhi High Court’s order staying its release.
The matter was mentioned today before a bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi by Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, seeking urgent listing. The Court agreed to list the case for hearing within a day or two.
On July 10, the Delhi High Court had directed the Central government to exercise its revisional powers under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act to examine the movie. The order was passed on petitions, including one filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani, seeking a ban on the film for allegedly vilifying Muslims. The movie is based on the murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal Teli in Udaipur and was slated for release on July 11.
The High Court bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal permitted the petitioners to approach the Central government within two days and stayed the release in the meantime. The Court directed that if approached, the Central government shall decide the revision petition within one week after giving the producer an opportunity to be heard.
Earlier, the CBFC had informed the High Court that certain offending portions in the film had been removed. The Court then directed the producer to arrange a screening for Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Madani, and Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for CBFC.
Following the screening, Sibal submitted before the High Court that he was appalled by the movie content, describing it as “cinematic vandalism.”
After a detailed hearing on July 10, the High Court stayed the release of the film while asking the petitioners to seek further relief from the Central government. The producers have now approached the Supreme Court against the stay order.
