Supreme Court declines to lift stay on Udaipur Files movie, directs centre to expedite review
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to lift the interim stay imposed by the Delhi High Court on the release of the controversial film Udaipur Files, which is based on the 2022 murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal Teli in Udaipur.
A Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymala Bagchi observed that the Central government had constituted a committee to examine the objections raised against the film, and therefore it would await the committee’s decision before proceeding further.
“We expect the committee to decide the revision plea immediately without any loss of time,” the Court ordered, posting the matter for further hearing on July 21.
The Delhi High Court had stayed the film’s release on July 10, a day before its scheduled premiere, and directed the Central government to exercise its revisional powers under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act to reassess the film’s content. The order was passed on multiple petitions, including one filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani, alleging that the film vilifies the Muslim community.
Although the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had previously informed the High Court that certain objectionable parts had been removed, the screening organized for the counsels led to fresh concerns. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Madani, stated he was “shaken” by what he saw, calling the film a “complete thematic dissertation against a community” that promotes “violence, homosexuality, child abuse, and vilification.”
The producers, represented by Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, argued that the film had received valid CBFC clearance and that staying the release just 12 hours before its schedule had resulted in piracy risks and business losses. Bhatia also raised concerns about the producers’ fundamental rights and urged for expedited relief.
However, the apex court remarked that it cannot interfere with the statutory process underway. “If the Centre finds no issue, we will consider that. If they suggest cuts, we can look at them. But since the statutory mechanism is being followed, we can wait,” the Court said.
The Court also permitted one of the accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case to be represented before the committee. Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for the accused, emphasized that free speech cannot override the right to a fair trial, noting that the film may impact ongoing judicial proceedings and portray the judiciary irresponsibly.
Responding to this, Justice Surya Kant remarked, “Our judicial officers are not school-going children who will be swayed by a movie or its dialogues. We trust their objectivity and training.”
The Court was also informed that threats had been issued to the film’s producers, director, and Kanhaiya Lal’s son. The Bench directed them to approach local authorities for protection and said that appropriate action should be taken if credible threats were found.
In closing, the Court acknowledged the seriousness of the objections raised but noted that the delay in release could be compensated, whereas an untimely release might result in “irreparable damage.”
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PM Modi likely to visit New York for UNGA session next month
United Nations (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address the annual high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, according to a provisional list of speakers issued by the UN here.
The 80th session of the UNGA will open on September 9. The high-level General Debate will run from September 23-29, with Brazil as the traditional first speaker of the session, followed by the US.
US President Donald Trump will address world leaders from the iconic UNGA podium on September 23, his first address to the UN session in his second term in the White House.
According to the provisional list of speakers for the high-level debate of the 80th session of the General Assembly, India’s “Head of Government (HG)” will address the session on the morning of September 26.
The Heads of Government of Israel, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are also scheduled to address the UNGA general debate on the same day.
Modi had travelled to the US in February this year for a bilateral meeting with Trump in the White House in Washington, DC. In a joint statement issued after their meeting, Modi and Trump had announced plans to negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by the fall of 2025.
Even as trade negotiations were ongoing, Trump imposed tariffs totalling 50 per cent on India, including 25 per cent for New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil that will come into effect from August 27.
Responding to the tariffs, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said that the targeting of the country is unjustified and unreasonable.
“Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” it said.
Last week’s announcement of Trump’s executive order imposing the additional 25 per cent tariff came at a time when a team from the US is scheduled to visit India from August 25 for the sixth round of negotiations for the proposed bilateral trade agreement.
The two countries are aiming to conclude the first phase of the pact by fall (October-November) this year.
The UNGA list of speakers for the General Debate is provisional, and there is a possibility of changes in schedules and speakers over the next few weeks. The list will continue to be updated accordingly.
Considered the “busiest diplomatic season” of the year at the United Nations Headquarters, the high-level session opens in September annually.
The session this year comes amid the continued Israel-Hamas war as well as the Ukraine conflict.
Trump has said that in the six months of his second presidential term, he has solved several wars, including a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Cambodia and Thailand, Israel and Iran, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Serbia and Kosovo.
Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for stopping the May conflict between India and Pakistan.
