Udaipur Files Row: CBFC Says Alleged Offending Portions Have Been Cut From Film, Delhi High Court Asks Producer To Screen Movie For Parties

After the censor board told the Delhi High Court on Wednesday (July 9) that the alleged offending portions in the film 'Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder' have been removed, the court directed the film's producer to arrange a screening of the film today so that counsel for the parties opposing its release can view the same. 

The court was hearing a batch of pleas moved by various parties including a PIL by Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind President- Maulana Arshad Madani on the grounds of hate speech and communal harmony. The plea further challenges the certification granted by CBFC to the movie for public exhibition.

Meanwhile earlier today the Supreme Court refused to urgently list a petition against the screening of the film ahead of the scheduled date of release on July 11, orally observing that 'Let it be released". 

After hearing the matter for some time a division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal in its order dictated:

"ASG Sharma appearing for respondent 1 and 2 has stated that before the film was certified by CBFC, certain cuts were proposed by the board which have been effected as well. Counsel representing the producer of the film says that the cuts as suggested by board have been implemented as well. We require the producer to arrange for a screening of the film and the trailer today itself at some convenient time to all counsels. List tomorrow"

During the hearing Senior advocte Kapil Sibal appearing for one of the petitioners' submitted, "this is a matter of some moment. I understand they have right to free speech but if the intent is to fuel disharmony and endanger public order..."

Meanwhile Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma appearing for CBFC and Union of India said, "We have addressed all the issues. I'll give a chart. Whatever allegations are there that these are the offending portions and dialogues, they have been taken down by the Board".

However Sibal argued that there was still a problem even if board had taken down the alleged offending portions. 

"The whole tenor of the film. They have a right but the contours of free speech can't be that theme of movie is to fuel violence. It is to target a particular community. You'll have to see the film. It cant be that my ld friend says that what you found offending is taken down," he added. 

The court at this stage orally asked, "The orders have been taken down on the orders of censor board?" to which ASG Sharma replied in the affirmative. Sibal at this stage said that the court may view the movie. 

The court however said to Sibal, "But before we take decision to go for screening or not, we will request you to go through it. It may address the issue raised. We are requesting you to go through the cuts and come before us again tomorrow". 

The bench further orally said to the ASG, "Arrange a screening of the film and sit with Mr. Sibal and then come tomorrow. Since there is challenge and now cuts you've defective, arrange a screening, sit with him and then come back tomorrow". 

At this stage the counsel appearing for the film's producer submitted that a private screening will be arranged today itself.

"Maybe you've removed the offending portions, maybe he may be satisfied," the bench said to ASG Sharma.

It further asked if these portions have been removed from the film or from the film's trailer, to which the ASG said that the portions have been removed from both film and its trailer. 

The matter has now been listed for hearing on Thursday. 

Case Title: MAULANA ARSHAD MADANI v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS. and other matters