The Supreme Court will hear the petitions related to the film ‘Udaipur files’ based on the Kanhaiya Lal murder case of Rajasthan on Monday (July 21, 2025). The murder in 2022 shook the entire country.
Producer Amit Johnny has challenged the interim order of the Delhi High Court in which the release of the film was banned. The film was scheduled to release on July 11, but the High Court stayed the release, citing the sensitivity of the law and order and the ongoing case of Kanhaiya Lal murder case.
On the other hand, Javed, an accused in this murder, has filed a petition saying that the release of the film may affect the case and public opinion may be affected, which will obstruct fair hearing.
In the last hearing, the Supreme Court postponed the case till July 21. The Supreme Court had said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Central Government is reviewing the film through an expert committee.
The bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymala Bagchi had commented, ‘We want to know the view of the central government on this subject, we are waiting for it. If the Center says that there is no problem in the film, then we will consider it. If the cut is suggested, it will also be seen.
The Supreme Court also insisted that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution is above the freedom of expression under Article 19. This statement has launched a debate among the supporters of independent expression.
In the last hearing, the court had asked the expert committee of the Center to take ‘accelerated steps’ by considering the ‘this issue’ without any delay on the appeal of the filmmakers. ‘Udaipur Files’ is based on the murder of Kanhaiya Lal Sahu in Udaipur in the year 2022. During that time there was a dispute about the statement of BJP leader Nupur Sharma about Prophet Mohammed. Kanhaiyalal had posted a post on social media in support of Nupur Sharma, due to which Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Gaus strangled him and killed him.