Delhi HC directs Udaipur Files screening for petitioners
Delhi high court
on Wednesday directed the producer of 'Udaipur Files', a movie based on tailor Kanhaiya Lal murder case, to arrange a screening of the film for those opposed to its release.
The HC's direction came after the
Central Board of Film Certification
(CBFC) and the makers of the movie claimed that "objectionable" portions had been removed from the film, and there was no ground to stall its release.
The petitions claimed that the movie had the potential to inflame communal tensions and disrupt public order in the country.
A division bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal directed the producers to arrange the screening on Wednesday itself for senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioners, including Maulana Arshad Madani, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president and principal of Darul Uloom, Deoband.
The bench asked the petitioners to view the censored version and come back to the court on Thursday.
Earlier, Sibal argued that while free speech is protected, "the film's intent appears to fuel communal disharmony". ASG Chetan Sharma, appearing for I&B ministry and CBFC, responded that the censor board had already removed the flagged content. Sibal, however, maintained that the movie's "overall tone remains problematic", and the entire purpose appeared to be to target an entire community.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In
IC Markets
Learn More
Undo
The petitioners said while Lal was murdered by two fanatics, the movie's trailer, released on June 26, "falsely" showed the crime being carried out with the complicity of religious heads/leaders of the community.
The producer informed the court that the trailer had been removed, but Sibal responded that the damage was already done.
The petitioners also claimed that the film violated constitutional morality by weaponising the freedom of expression to weaken the constitutional vision of a plural, inclusive and secular India, and instead attempted to mainstream narratives that would deepen social and religious divisions.
Lal was beheaded in his shop in June 2022 by Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous -- who recorded the act and circulated the clip - allegedly for his post supporting former BJP leader Nupur Sharma over her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Surat man held at Ahmedabad airport for travelling on fake passport
Ahmedabad: A Surat resident was arrested at the Ahmedabad airport on Friday for allegedly travelling on a fraudulently obtained Indian passport. Pramod Ithape, security assistant at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport registered a complaint against Prakashkumar Dave, a resident of Punagam in Surat. Ithape stated that on Friday, Dave, holding Indian Emergency Certificate No. X1022911 approached for immigration clearance after arriving from Berlin via Qatar on a Qatar Airways flight. The certificate had been issued in Berlin on May 27 this year and was valid until Nov 26. Ithape found no departure details against Dave's passport. When asked how he had departed from India, Dave allegedly told him that he had travelled to Paris from Delhi in Jan this year. The complainant stated that on further inquiry, Dave confessed that he had fraudulently obtained an Indian passport in the name of Rakesh Joshi, a Mumbai resident, allegedly with the help of two agents, whom he named as Mahesh and Dishu. He reportedly admitted to have travelled to Berlin on the fake passport for which he had paid the agents Rs 15 lakh. In Berlin, he had approached the Indian Embassy for the emergency certificate, claiming the loss of his original passport. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? Memory Health Learn More Undo You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Dave has been handed over to Airport police who have registered a case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 319(2) (cheating by impersonation), 336(2) (forgery), 336(3) (forgery, intending that the document or electronic record forged shall be used for the purpose of cheating), 338 (forgery of valuable security, will), 340(2) (forged document or electronic record and using it as genuine), and 54 (abettor present when offence is committed) against him and the agents.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Decoy system for Rafale: India looks to expedite deliveries of X Guard for IAF fighter jets; here's how it works
During Operation Sindoor's initial phase, the Rafales executed missile strikes on Pakistani air installations. (File photo) India is looking to enhance the capabilities of its Rafale fighter jet fleet. India aims to accelerate the procurement of a decoy mechanism designed to enhance the defensive capabilities of its Rafale fighter aircraft against hostile missiles. During Operation Sindoor 's initial phase, the Rafales executed missile strikes on Pakistani air installations as a counter-response to their actions against Indian military objectives. The SCALP long-range missiles launched from these aircraft achieved precise hits on crucial Pakistani targets, successfully engaging early warning aircraft shelters, unmanned aerial vehicle facilities, command centres and airfields. X Guard : How The Decoy System For Rafale Jets Works The X Guard fibre optic towed decoy system, the order for which has been placed by Indian Air Force to upgrade the Rafale fighter jets' capabilities, enables operations in disputed airspace, according to an ET report. According to sources quoted by the financial daily, whilst the system, produced by Israel's Rafael, has been successfully integrated and tested on the aircraft, delivery schedules have been affected by supply chain disruptions and ongoing conflicts in West Asia. The authorities are working to speed up deliveries, recognising the system's importance in improving the Rafale fighter jet's missile defence capabilities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication Planet Spark Learn More Undo The Israeli Air Force frequently uses the X Guard, a sophisticated reusable decoy mechanism that works in conjunction with fighter aircraft's electronic warfare systems. This device, which reproduces a fighter jet's signature characteristics, is housed within a pod attached to a hard point and used during high-stakes operations. When deployed in flight, the device maintains connection with the fighter jet via a fibre-optic cable. Its primary function is to serve as a target for incoming air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles, effectively drawing them away from the actual aircraft by presenting itself as a viable target. Upon mission completion, the system allows for mid-flight retraction and secure storage within its designated pod. The Indian Rafale combat aircraft demonstrated exceptional accuracy during Operation Sindoor whilst targeting terrorist facilities in Bahawalpur and Muridke. These aircraft have specific modifications designed for Indian requirements, including a helmet-mounted display system, an Infra Red Search and Track sensor, and capabilities to function effectively from high-altitude bases. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Who would have thought ...': Congresswoman AOC calls Donald Trump 'rapist'; faces MAGA heat on social media
US President Donald Trump (left) (AP image) and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (right) (Official website image) Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez faced heavy criticism on Friday after calling US President Donald Trump a 'rapist' in a social media post. 'Wow who would have thought that electing a rapist would have complicated the release of the Epstein Files?' she wrote on X. Her comment referred to the ongoing debate over the Epstein case, after the FBI and Justice Department issued a joint memo declaring the investigation officially closed. The memo said Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in jail and found no evidence of homicide. Ocasio-Cortez suggested that electing a president with a history of sexual assault allegations made it more difficult or politically sensitive to fully release and investigate the Epstein case records. Her tweet quickly went viral garnering over 11 million views. It sparked strong backlash from Trump supporters. Many accused her of defamation, pointing out that Trump has never been criminally convicted of rape. One user expressing anger commented: 'Donald Trump has not been criminally convicted of rape. As a Congresswoman, with such broad reach, you should be aware of this and act and speak appropriately. This is defamation.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Another wrote: 'If Trump is a rapist, then surely he was convicted of rape in a criminal court and you have evidence of that conviction, right? If not, then this is defamation.' Journalist E Jean Carroll accused Donald Trump of raping her in the 1990s. She said he attacked her in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan around 1995 or 1996. In 2023, a civil jury did not find Trump liable for rape under the legal definition used in the trial, but did find him liable for sexual abuse. He was ordered to pay Carroll $2.02 million in damages for sexual assault and another $2.98 million for defamation, totalling $5 million, Al Jazeera quoted. Last month, the public feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump intensified after the Tesla owner made a striking allegation against the US president, claiming that Trump is mentioned in the Epstein files. He added that this is the reason they were never made public.
