New Delhi, July 16 (HS): The Supreme Court has upheld the interim ban on the film 'Udaipur Files' imposed by the Delhi High Court. Justice Surya Kant's bench emphasized that the central government should first make a decision regarding the film before further hearings occur, with the next hearing set for July 21. The court indicated that the committee formed to assess objections to the film should expedite their decision-making process, noting that the Delhi High Court had not commented on the film itself but directed the petitioner to submit objections to the central government.

The Supreme Court recognized the central government's authority in making interim decisions about film exhibitions. It mentioned the committee's scheduled meeting and allowed Mohammad Javed, implicated in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case, to make his case before this committee. On July 14, the film's producer's lawyer, Gaurav Bhatia, sought an expedited hearing, prompting the Supreme Court to assure a prompt review of the matter. Bhatia is challenging the Delhi High Court's interim ban imposed on July 10, which required the petitioner to register objections by July 14 and mandated a decision from the central government within a week.

The petition, filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, claims the film's trailer contains objectionable remarks about Prophet Muhammad and portrays Deoband as a center of extremism, potentially disrupting national peace. The film was initially scheduled for release on July 11 after receiving censorship approval, but the petition argues it misuses the right to freedom of expression, alleging it fosters anti-Muslim sentiments amidst its narrative based on a 2022 Udaipur incident.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar