Udaipur Files producers move Supreme Court against Delhi HC stay on release

The producers of the movie 'Udaipur Files' moved the Supreme Court on Monday challenging Delhi High Court's order to stay the release of movie.

The counsel representing the movie producers today mentioned the plea before the Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi for an urgent listing.

The Court agreed to the list the matter in a day or two. Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia appeared for the film producers.

The High Court had on July 10 ordered the Central government to exercise its revisional powers under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act to examine the movie.

The order was passed on a batch of three petitions, including one filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani seeking a ban on the movie based on tailor Kanhaiya Lal Teli's murder in Udaipur, for vilifying Muslims. The movie was slated to be released on July 11.

The Bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal of High Court asked the petitioners to approach the Central government and stayed the movie release in the meantime.

"Accordingly, we permit the petitioner to approach the Central government within two days and in case the petitioners approach the Central government, he may also make a prayer for interim measures. Once the petitioner approaches the Central government with a revision petition, the same shall be considered and decided within a period of one week after giving opportunity to the producer," it ordered.

Earlier, the CBFC had told the High Court that certain offending portions in the movie have been removed. The Court had then directed the producer to arrange a screening of the movie and the trailer for the counsel appearing in the matter - Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal for Madani and Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma for CBFC.

A day after screening of the movie, Sibal told the High Court that he was appalled after watching the movie.

"This is not right for the country. This is not art. This is cinematic vandalism," Sibal told the High Court.

After a lengthy hearing on July 10, the High Court stayed the release of the movie while asking the petitioners to approach the Central government for further relief.

The producers have now approached the Supreme Court against the said stay.