Court Refuses to Block Release of Kanhaiya Lal Murder Film

“Udaipur Files” Can Screen as Scheduled, Judges Rule

The Delhi High Court has denied a request to halt the imminent release of the film “Udaipur Files,” which chronicles the murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal. The movie is slated for release this Friday.

No Prima Facie Case Established for Stay

A bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Judge Tushar Rao Gedela rejected the plea, stating the petitioner had failed to demonstrate a compelling case for halting the film’s debut. The court emphasized that the producer had invested significant resources, and withholding the release would disrupt the balance of convenience.

The court noted that the film had already received certification, and its exhibition was deemed unlikely to impact the ongoing trial. “When the board has certified the film and its exhibition is unlikely to affect the trial, we believe we cannot agree to praying for the release of the film,” the bench stated.

Ministry Clears Film Despite Objections

This decision follows the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s prior rejection of all petitions challenging the film’s controversial certificate. This cleared the path for its public release.

The court further elaborated that a judge would proceed with their duties competently, and the petitioner had not sufficiently clarified how an immediate release would cause irreparable harm. This reasoning led to the dismissal of the stay request.

Arguments for and Against Release

During the proceedings, counsel for the petitioner, representing an accused in the murder case, argued that the film’s release would unfairly prejudice the ongoing trial. Senior lawyer Menaka Guruswamy asserted, “The right to a fair trial is paramount. The witnesses are tested. The film will only prejudice the trial. Dialogues are taken out of context. The title itself says Kanhaiya Lal murder. It will affect the process.”

A government spokesperson countered these arguments, affirming that authorities had thoroughly reviewed the film before granting clearance. The lawyer representing the film’s producer highlighted that advance ticket bookings had already been made. Senior lawyer Gaurav Bhatia, appearing for the producer, added, “The movie has to be released tomorrow [Friday]. The producer has invested his life savings in making this film, which is his right of freedom of expression. The accused’s name, his specific role, is not mentioned in the film.”

The producer’s defense underscored that the film’s narrative does not identify the accused by name or detail their specific role, aiming to mitigate concerns about prejudice to the trial. The court’s decision prioritizes the producer’s freedom of expression and the potential financial implications of a delayed release.