The Delhi High Court has halted the release of the film 'Udaipur Files', which is based on the 2022 murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal, until the central government decides on pleas demanding a permanent ban on the film.

Petitioners told to approach Central Government with ban request

The movie was slated to release on July 11. However, a division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal issued the stay order on Thursday, directing the petitioners to first present their concerns before the central government within two days.

The petitioners , who are among the accused in the ongoing Kanhaiya Lal murder trial, argued that releasing the film could severely compromise their right to a fair trial. They maintained that the film's narrative could influence public perception and prejudice judicial proceedings.

The court observed that the petitioners had not yet approached the Centre with their request. “Since we are relegating petitioner to invoke revisional remedy, we provide that till the application for grant of interim relief is decided by the government there shall be stay on release of the film,” the bench was quoted as saying by PTI.

Kanhaiya Lal Murder Case at the Centre of Udaipur Files

Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor based in Udaipur, was brutally killed in June 2022, allegedly by Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous. A video released by the assailants claimed the act was retaliation for a social media post made by Lal in support of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, who had faced widespread backlash for her remarks on Prophet Mohammed.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case, booking the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) along with several sections of the Indian Penal Code. The trial is currently underway in a special NIA court in Jaipur.

The court has directed that the stay on the film's release will remain until the Centre makes a decision on the matter.