Udaipur Files Row: SC Says Right To Life Overrides Free Speech, Urges Centre To Decide On Release ‘Immediately’

The Supreme Court asked the Centre's committee to take its decision in petitions related to the controversial movie "Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder" immediately and without loss of time, considering the urgency expressed by the makers of the movie. According to an NDTV report, the bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked filmmakers to await the Central government's decision.

"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 murder of Kanhaiya Lal, the tailor, can’t be compensated for the loss of reputation if the film is released, but the filmmakers can be monetarily compensated. 

According to the report, Justice Kant also remarked that in the film business, it's known that the more suspense around the movie, the better it is.

Appearing for the filmmakers, Advocate Gaurav Bhatia has submitted that the producer and director of the film, as well as the son of the late Kanhaiya Lal, were receiving death threats. The court allowed them to make a representation to the police of the area and directed them to assess the threat perception and do the needful. 

The apex court also allowed accused 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 as quoted by NDTV.

The film was scheduled to be released on July 11. The Delhi High Court on July 10 stayed the release till Centre decided on pleas seeking a permanent ban over the film's potential to "promote disharmony" in society. 

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