Shahin Akhtar
The Supreme Court on 09.07.2025 declined to urgently list a petition seeking to block the release of the film “Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder”, which is scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025. The petition, filed by Mohammed Javed, one of the accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case, argued that the film’s release could prejudice his right to a fair trial.
Advocate Pyoli mentioned the petition before a bench comprising Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, highlighting the potential impact of the film on the ongoing trial. However, the bench refused to grant an urgent listing, instead directing the counsel to mention the matter before the concerned bench on July 14, 2025.
When the counsel pointed out that the film would be released before the next hearing, Justice Dhulia remarked, “Let it be released.” The petitioner’s contention is that the film, based on the true story of Kanhaiya Lal’s murder, could portray the accused as guilty and potentially influence the trial’s outcome.
Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor from Udaipur, was brutally murdered in June 2022 by Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous, who later released a video claiming the murder was in retaliation for Kanhaiya Lal’s alleged support of Nupur Sharma, a former BJP spokesperson. The case is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency, and charges have been framed against the accused under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Indian Penal Code.
The petitioner argued that the film’s trailer and promotional materials suggest a communally provocative tone, which could prejudice the ongoing trial. The petition relies on Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act, which grants the Central Government special revisional powers to revoke a film’s certification in public interest.
In a related development, Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind, an Islamic cleric’s organization, has approached the Delhi High Court seeking to block the film’s release, citing its potentially communally divisive content. Despite these legal challenges, the film is set to be released on July 11 as scheduled.
The Supreme Court’s decision not to urgently list the petition means that the film’s release will proceed as planned, at least for now. The petitioner’s concerns about the potential impact on his right to a fair trial will be considered by the court at a later date. The case highlights the complex intersection of free speech, artistic expression, and the right to a fair trial, and will likely continue to generate significant public interest and debate.
Case Name: Maulana Arshad Madani v. Union Of India & Ors.
Case No.: W.P.(C)- 9362/2025
Bench: Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Joymalya Bagchi
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