The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to stay the release of Udaipur Files, a film based on the chilling 2022 murder of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal. With the film slated to hit theaters on Friday, August 8, the last-minute plea by one of the murder accused, Mohd Javed, fell short as the court said he failed to make a prima facie case for halting the release.
High Court Ruling: No “Irreparable Harm” Proven
A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela dismissed the plea, noting the balance of convenience did not lie with the petitioner. “Producer has already spent life earnings on the film, and if the movie is not released, the balance of convenience will be disturbed,” the court observed. The bench further remarked that since the film has already been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and the ongoing trial is unlikely to be influenced by its release, there was no justification to stop the screening.
Arguments from Both Sides: Free Speech vs Fair Trial
Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for the petitioner Mohd Javed, argued that the film’s release would severely prejudice the ongoing trial. “Right to a fair trial is supreme. Witnesses are to be examined. Dialogues are lifted from the charge sheet. Title itself says Kanhaiya Lal murder. It will affect the trial,” Guruswamy told the court.
In response, the government’s counsel said that the movie had gone through due diligence and certification processes. “This is as fair as it can go. As transparent as it can be,” the counsel asserted.
Producer Defends Creative Freedom
On the other hand, senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia, appearing for the producers, argued that the movie makes no direct reference to any of the accused and that the producer has invested his life’s savings in the project. “Tickets are already booked. The film does not mention the accused’s name or his specific role,” Bhatia told the court.
Following the verdict, Bhatia, who also serves as BJP’s national spokesperson, called the court’s decision a victory for truth and expression. “A major win from the Honorable High Court in the Udaipur Files case! The court refused to impose a ban on the film’s release. A victory for truth, a victory for freedom of expression,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
🚨 बड़ी जीत 🚨
उदयपुर फ़ाइल्स मामले में माननीय उच्च न्यायालय से बड़ी जीत मिली!
मेरी दमदार टीम।
कोर्ट ने फ़िल्म की रिलीज़ पर रोक लगाने से किया इंकार। सच की जीत, अभिव्यक्ति की स्वतंत्रता की जीत। pic.twitter.com/R73KDCLnDO— Gaurav Bhatia गौरव भाटिया 🇮🇳 (@gauravbhatiabjp) August 7, 2025
What Is ‘Udaipur Files’?
The film draws from the brutal killing of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in June 2022 by two men who accused him of supporting controversial comments made by former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. The murder, captured on camera and widely circulated, shocked the nation and led to widespread outrage. The trial in the case is still ongoing.
A day before the hearing, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) dismissed all revision petitions challenging the CBFC certification of Udaipur Files, paving the way for its release. With both the ministry and now the Delhi High Court rejecting appeals to halt the film, it is all set to reach audiences this Friday.
