MP High Court Disposes Plea Seeking Ban On 'Udaipur Files' In Terms Of Delhi HC Order

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday disposed of a plea seeking a ban on the release of the film 'Udaipur Files' by applying the directions passed on July 10 by the Delhi High Court in a similar matter. A bench of Justice Pranay Verma passed the order while dealing with a plea filed by 2 Social Workers, Vishal and Abid Hussain Barkati, seeking an immediate stay on the release of the film, alleging that it contained derogatory and offensive content against the Muslim community and Prophet Muhammad. Their plea also prayed for FIRs to be registered against the film's cast and crew. At the outset, the petitioners' counsel submitted that the issue raised was identical to that in Maulana Arshad Madani vs. Union Of India & Ors and other connected matters 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 776 decided by the Delhi High Court on July 10, 2025. Taking note of this submission and having perused the Delhi High Court's order, Justice Verma observed: “In my opinion, the issue raised in this petition has already been dealt with therein in extenso. Hence, this petition is also disposed of in terms of the order passed by the High Court of Delhi… The said order shall be applicable mutatis mutandis to the case of the petitioners also.” For context, the Delhi High Court had on July 10, 2025, stayed the release of controversial movie, which was slated for release on July 11, while allowing the petitioners, including Islamic clerics' body Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind, to approach the Central Government in revision against the certification granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for the movie. While refusing to exercise its extraordinary writ jurisdiction at that stage, the Delhi High Court had directed that: “Till the application for grant of interim relief is decided by the Government, if moved by the petitioner, there shall be a stay on the release of the film.” The Delhi HC clarified that a third party could also invoke Section 6 revisional powers, and directed the Government to decide the revision (and any interim prayer) within one week of such application.It may be noted that the controversy related to the release of movie has also reached the Supreme Court as two petitions are presently pending - first, a writ petition filed by one of the accused in the Kanhaiya Lal Teli murder case (on which the movie is based), and second, filed by the makers of the movie against Delhi High Court's stay over its release.On July 16, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of the petitions relating to the movie, taking note of the fact that the Union Government was set to hear that day at 2.30 PM the revision petitions against the CBFC certification of the film.As of today, the film's release remains suspended as the government is yet to take a decision in the matter.BackgroundKanhaiya Lal Teli, an Udaipur-based tailor, was brutally murdered in June 2022, allegedly by one Mohammad Riyaz and one Mohammad Ghous. The perpetrators later released a video claiming the murder was in retaliation for Kanhaiya Lal allegedly sharing a social media post in support of Nupur Sharma, former BJP spokesperson, soon after she made controversial comments about the Prophet.The case was investigated by the National Investigation Agency, and offences under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Indian Penal Code framed against the accused. While the trial is progressing before a Special NIA Court in Jaipur, the movie - based on the case - is sought to be released.Case Title: Vishal v Central Film Certificate BoardCitation: 2025 LiveLaw (MP) 161Click Here To Read/Download Order

MP High Court Disposes Plea Seeking Ban On 'Udaipur Files' In Terms Of Delhi HC Order

Sparsh Upadhyay

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