‘Let film be released’: SC declines urgent hearing on Udaipur Files
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to urgently hear a plea seeking a stay on the release of the film “Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder”, saying, “Let the film be released.”
A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi made the remark after a lawyer representing one of the accused in the 2022 Udaipur murder case expressed concern that the film's release on July 11 could prejudice the ongoing trial and infringe upon the accused's right to a fair trial.
The petition, filed by Mohammed Javed—the eighth accused in the case—argued that the film, based on its trailer and promotional materials, appears “communally provocative” and portrays the accused as guilty, potentially undermining judicial proceedings.
The court, however, refused to fast-track the matter, observing that the plea can be mentioned before the regular bench once the court resumes after its summer recess.
Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor based in Udaipur, Rajasthan, was murdered in June 2022, allegedly by Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous in what was described as a hate crime. The attackers had posted a video claiming the killing was in retaliation for Lal’s alleged social media post supporting former BJP leader Nupur Sharma after her controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad.
The case is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with the accused booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code. The trial is currently underway before a special NIA court in Jaipur.
(inputs from PTI)
