Delhi HC Stays ‘Udaipur Files’ Release: Kanhaiya Lal’s Son Responds, Says Film Exposes Terrorist Mindse

New Delhi — A day before its scheduled pan‑India release on July 11, the Delhi High Court issued a stay on the film Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder, citing concerns of potential communal discord. The bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal directed petitioners—led by Jamiat Ulema‑e‑Hind—to approach the Union Government within two days under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act. The court instructed that the film remain on hold until the Centre decides on their revision plea.

Petitioners, represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, argued that the film contains “the worst form of hate speech” against Muslims, pointing to scenes depicting alleged targeted acts and inflammatory dialogue as potential risks to public order. In contrast, the Additional Solicitor General for the Centre defended the CBFC’s clearance, asserting the film depicts a crime-specific narrative and not an attack on any community .

Earlier, the Delhi HC had ordered a private screening of the film for petitioners to enable a fair judgment of its content before release .

Ironically, on July 9, the Supreme Court refused emergency relief against the release—leading to media reports suggesting the film “could be released”—but clarified no formal order was passed; petitioners later raised this ambiguity before the HC .