Latest news with #UdaipurFiles:KanhaiyaLalTailorMurder
NDTV
19 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"Right To Life Over Right To Speech": Top Court On Release Of Udaipur Files
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre's committee to take its decision in petitions related to the controversial movie "Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder", "immediately, without loss of time", considering the urgency expressed by the makers of the film. When the filmmakers contended that the Delhi High Court erred in stalling the film's release as the stay order violated the makers' right to freedom of speech and expression, the top court remarked that Article 21 (Fundamental Right to Life) will precede Article 19 (Fundamental Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression). The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked filmmakers to await the Central government's decision, which is scheduled to hear objections against the movie later in the day, as it adjourned the hearing of the petitions related to the matter to next Monday. "The Competent Authority (of the Central government) has taken cognisance of the revision petition over the release of the film pending before it and will be heard at 2:30 pm today," the court stated. The court told the filmmakers that the accused in the Kanhaiya Lal tailor murder case-- Mohammad Javed--can't be compensated for the loss of reputation if the film is released, but the filmmakers can be monetarily compensated. Justice Kant further remarked that in the film business, it's known that the more suspense around the movie, the better it is. Senior counsel Gaurav Bhatia, appearing for filmmakers, has submitted that the producer and director of the film, as well as the son of late Kanhaiya Lal, were receiving death threats. The Court allowed them to make a representation to the police of the area, who were directed to assess the threat perception and do the needful to prevent harm if there is substance in their apprehension. The top court was dealing with two petitions - one writ petition filed by one of the accused in the Kanhaiya Lal Teli murder case (on which the movie is based), and the second, filed by the makers of the movie challenging the Delhi High Court order staying the release of the movie. The bench asked the Centre's committee to take a decision immediately without loss of time after hearing all the parties. The Court also allowed Mohammad Javed to present his arguments before the committee through his counsel. "We permit Mohammad Javed (accused before the Court) to enter appearance through counsel before the central government in the pending revision petition, and we direct the committee to afford hearing to him as well. Having regard to the nature of the proceedings, we expect that the Committee will decide the revision petition immediately without any loss of time," the bench said. The film was scheduled to be released on July 11. On July 10, the Delhi High Court stayed the release till the Centre decides on pleas seeking a permanent ban over the film's potential to "promote disharmony" in society. The petitions, including one filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president and Darul Uloom Deoband principal Maulana Arshad Madani before the high court, claim that a trailer of the movie released on June 26 was replete with dialogues and instances that had led to communal disharmony in 2022, and carries every potential to stoke the same sentiments again. Udaipur-based tailor Kanhaiya Lal was murdered in June 2022, allegedly by Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous. The assailants later released a video claiming that the murder was in reaction to the tailor allegedly sharing a social media post in support of former BJP leader Nupur Sharma following her controversial comments on Prophet Mohammed. The case was probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the accused were booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, besides provisions under the Indian Penal Code. The trial is pending before the special NIA court in Jaipur.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Supreme Court to hear plea for 'Udaipur Files' release 'in a day or two'
Supreme Court NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Monday told producers of the film 'Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder', screening of which has been stayed by Delhi high court , that it will hear its plea for release of the movie in the theatres "within a day or two". Senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia appealed to a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi for urgent hearing on the special leave petition by Meerut-based producer 'Jani Firefox Media' challenging the high court's July 10 order stalling release of the film despite the censor board clearing its screening with certain cuts. Bhatia said the high court order came on a petition by Maulana Arshad Madani, who claimed the film was an attempt to vilify an entire community, even though the storyline of the movie is based on a true incident of beheading of Kanhaiyalal by two Muslim men in June 2022 for sharing a post on Prophet Mohammad, and that the producers had carried out cuts suggested by CBFC. The high court had disposed of Madani's petition by permitting him to appeal against permission to release the film before Union government. It had said, "Since we are relegating the petitioner to remedy of revision under Section 6 of Cinematograph Act, we direct that till the application for interim relief, if made by the petitioner along with the revision petition under Section 6, is decided by central govt, release of the film shall remain stayed. " The film producer through advocate Pulkit Agarwal cited several SC judgements which had laid down the principle that a film cleared by censor board cannot be stalled from being screened in theatres unless there is an explicit violation which squarely fell within 'reasonable restrictions' on right to free speech specified under Article 19(2) of the Constitution.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
"We have pleaded": Advocate Pulkit Agarwal on Supreme Court agrees to hear plea of 'Udaipur Files' release
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea filed by the producers of the movie 'Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder' challenging the Delhi High Court's order that stayed its release. The plea was mentioned by Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia on behalf of the producer of the movie, who stated that the CBFC has already approved the said film and its non-release is violating his fundamental right. On the Supreme Court agreeing to hear the plea against the stay on the release of 'Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder', Advocate Pulkit Agarwal told the media, 'We have pleaded that the High Court's order, which has stayed the release of the movie, needs to be set aside. We have prayed to the Supreme Court to grant the release of this movie. Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia mentioned the matter on behalf of the producer. The court observed orally that the matter would be listed within 2-3 days...' The Delhi High Court recently stayed the release of the movie one day before its official release date. The Delhi High Court on Thursday, July 10, ordered a stay on the release of the film. The stay will remain in effect until the Central Government decides on the revision application filed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind against the certification granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal passed the interim order while hearing two petitions, one by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind and another by journalist Prashant Tandon, challenging the CBFC's decision to grant certification to the film. The petitioners argued that the film's release could disturb communal harmony and pose a serious threat to public order, given the sensitive nature of the subject. The Court observed that since the petitioners had been relegated to invoke the revisional remedy under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the release of the film must remain stayed until a decision is made on their application for interim relief. 'We provide that till the grant of interim relief is decided, there shall be a stay on the release of the film,' the bench stated. 'Udaipur Files' is based on the 2022 murder of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor in Udaipur, Rajasthan, who was brutally killed in broad daylight by two men allegedly angered by a social media post in support of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. The incident had triggered national outrage and raised serious concerns about radicalisation and communal violence. The petitioners contended that the film sensationalises the incident and may further inflame tensions. They also raised concerns over the timing of the release, just ahead of upcoming elections in several states. The Court, while not going into the merits of the film itself, held that the legal procedure for challenging CBFC certification must be followed and ensured that no irreparable damage occurs in the interim. (ANI)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Prayed for film's release': 'Udaipur Files - Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder' makers moves SC against Rajasthan HC stay; hearing in 2–3 days
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea challenging the Rajasthan high court's stay on the release of the film Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder, despite the movie receiving clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The petition was filed by the film's producer, who approached the apex court seeking an urgent hearing. Senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia mentioned the matter before the bench on behalf of the filmmaker. Speaking on the development, Advocate Pulkit Agarwal said, 'We have pleaded that the high court's order, which has stayed the release of the movie, needs to be set aside. We have prayed to the Supreme Court to grant the release of this movie.' Agarwal further added that the court had orally observed that the matter would be listed for hearing within two to three days. The Rajasthan high court had earlier put a stay on the release of the film, which is based on the 2022 murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur, a case that had drawn nationwide outrage. The petitioner contends that with CBFC certification already granted, there are no legal grounds to prevent the release.
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
"This film is for justice": 'Udaipur Files' director Bharat S Shrinate, producer Amit Jani express disappointment over High Court verdict
Mohali (Punjab) [India], July 11 (ANI): 'Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder' producer Amit Jani expressed his disappointment over the verdict of the Delhi High Court and said that they have moved to the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict. In a conversation with ANI, he said, 'Humne High Court ke faisle ke khilaaf Supreme Court mein appeal ki hai uske revision ke liye kyunki hum usse santusht nahi hai (We have appealed against the High Court's decision in the Supreme Court for its review because we are not satisfied with it)' He added, 'We have appealed in the Supreme Court against the High Court's decision, because we are not satisfied with it. We had appealed to the High Court to watch the film... The justice said that he would watch, but he didn't. A film is only unlocked in front of the jury or the audience. But they asked us to screen it in front of Kapil Sibal and Maulana Arshad Madani (President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind).' 'It cannot be shown randomly to anyone; however, we obeyed the HC decision... The court only listened to what Kapil Sibal said. He is Madani's lawyer... We asked the court to come to the screening. They didn't watch and kept listening to what Kapil Sibal was saying. It was as if Kapil Sibal was writing the verdict... ' He further said Kanhaiya Lal was murdered in front of the camera three years ago. Till date, there is no verdict in this case. 'It has been three years since Kanhaiya Lal's murder. What did his family get from the court? The murderers were bailed, but the family got nothing. But it was decided within three days whether the film would be released or not... If they had taken such a quick decision for Kanhaiya Lal, then we would not have needed to make this film... All of this results in disappointment... Crores of people wanted to watch the movie on July 11. Thousands of screens were houseful... They are only considering what a Madrassa has to say... We will go to the Supreme Court...' Director of 'Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder', Bharat S Shrinate shared, 'When you make non-fiction films, there are controversies. Because a particular community feels that there are certain things in this film, but the censor board does not permit anything like that. This is the first thing. And the second thing is that if the truth is the same, if a community has attacked someone, then it will have to be shown. Now you are saying that we have broken communal harmony. But didn't you break communal harmony? Didn't films like 'PK' break communal harmony? '... Kapil Sibal watched the entire movie... During the hearing, he (Kapil Sibal) made wrong statements concerning the movie... Our movie is already approved by the CBFC...,' added the director. He shared, 'I am saying that this is not a film. This is not for entertainment. This film is for justice. And the central government has come into this. So obviously, I have faith in Modi ji. Modi ji hai to mumkin hai.' The Delhi High Court had yesterday ordered a stay on the release of the film. The stay will remain in effect until the Central Government decides on the revision application filed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind against the certification granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal passed the interim order while hearing two petitions, one by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind and another by journalist Prashant Tandon, challenging the CBFC's decision to grant certification to the film. The petitioners argued that the film's release could disturb communal harmony and pose a serious threat to public order, given the sensitive nature of the Court observed that since the petitioners had been relegated to invoke the revisional remedy under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the release of the film must remain stayed until a decision is made on their application for interim relief. 'We provide that till the grant of interim relief is decided, there shall be a stay on the release of the film,' the bench stated. 'Udaipur Files' is based on the 2022 murder of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor in Udaipur, Rajasthan, who was brutally killed in broad daylight by two men allegedly angered by a social media post in support of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. The incident had triggered national outrage and raised serious concerns about radicalisation and communal violence. The petitioners contended that the film sensationalises the incident and may further inflame tensions. They also raised concerns over the timing of the release, just ahead of upcoming elections in several states. The Court, while not going into the merits of the film itself, held that the legal procedure for challenging CBFC certification must be followed and ensured that no irreparable damage occurs in the interim. (ANI)
