SC Refuses to Lift Stay on ‘Udaipur Files’; Says Release May Cause ‘Irreparable Damage’

New Delhi, July 16, 2025 — The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to lift the stay on the release of Udaipur Files – Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder, a film based on the 2022 killing of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur, Rajasthan, observing that the release could cause “irreparable damage.”

A Bench led by Justice Surya Kant, with Justice Joymalya Bagchi, deferred the matter to July 21, directing the filmmakers to await the decision of a central government panel scheduled to hear objections against the movie later on Wednesday.

“If the movie is released, there will be irreparable damage. If it’s not, then you (producers) can be compensated,” Justice Kant remarked, adding wryly, “Don’t miss movie culture. The more the suspense, the better it does.”

Produced by Amit Jani and directed by Bharat S Shrinate, Udaipur Files features actors Vijay Raaz, Rajneesh Duggal, Preeti Jhangiani, Kamlesh Sawant, Kanchi Singh, and Mushtaq Khan. The film was slated for release on July 11.

However, the Delhi High Court stayed its release on July 10 pending the central government’s decision on a revision application filed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind, which challenged the CBFC’s certification of the film. The producers have now moved the Supreme Court against the stay order.

Senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia, representing the filmmakers, urged the court to consider allowing at least a limited exhibition, noting piracy concerns. “My movie was to be released after 12 hours. The movie was with 800 distributors,” he said.

The Bench advised the producers and director to approach police authorities if they have received threats regarding the film.

Opposing the release, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani, argued that the film was a deliberate attempt to vilify the Muslim community. “Once I saw the movie, I was shaken. It’s a complete thematic dissertation against a community… It’s unthinkable that a democracy will allow such a movie to be shown,” Sibal told the court, alleging that the film promotes violence and stereotypes.

Meanwhile, senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, representing one of the accused in Kanhaiya Lal’s murder case, contended that screening the film could prejudice the ongoing trial and undermine the right to a fair trial. The Bench, however, allayed such fears. “Prima facie, we are clear: Our judicial officers are not school-going children who will be swayed by movies or dialogues of movies. We are confident of their objectivity,” Justice Kant said, though stressing that all parties must be heard.

The court directed the Centre’s committee to decide the matter expeditiously after hearing all stakeholders, including the accused in the murder case.

Kanhaiya Lal was murdered in June 2022, allegedly by Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous, who later posted a video claiming the killing was in retaliation for the victim’s alleged social media post supporting former BJP leader Nupur Sharma over her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammed. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and relevant IPC sections, with the trial underway before a special court in Jaipur.