The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea seeking the lifting of the stay imposed on the release of the controversial film ‘Udaipur Files’, which has been at the centre of legal and political debate since last week.

The matter was mentioned by Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia on behalf of the film’s producer, who argued that the movie had already received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and that the Delhi High Court’s stay was infringing upon the producer’s fundamental rights.

According to an ANI report, the Delhi High Court had issued an interim stay on the film’s release on July 10—just a day before its scheduled theatrical debut. The court’s decision came in response to two petitions filed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind and journalist Prashant Tandon, both of whom challenged the CBFC’s decision to grant certification to the film. The court held that the release must remain paused until the Central Government reviews the revision application filed by the Jamiat under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal, passed the stay order stating that the film’s release should not go forward until the issue of interim relief was decided. The petitioners raised concerns that the movie, based on the brutal 2022 murder of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal, could inflame communal tensions and potentially disturb public order.

Kanhaiya Lal was murdered in broad daylight by two men allegedly angered over his social media post supporting former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. The gruesome incident sent shockwaves across the country, raising serious concerns over radicalisation and communal violence. Petitioners in the case argued that the film’s portrayal of this event may sensationalise a tragic incident and further polarise communities, particularly given its timing ahead of upcoming elections in several states.

While the High Court refrained from making any observations on the film’s content, it stressed that procedural due process must be followed when challenging a CBFC certificate. It also emphasised the need to avoid any irreparable harm while the matter is under legal scrutiny.

With the Supreme Court now agreeing to hear the plea, the case has added a new layer of complexity to the debate surrounding censorship, freedom of expression, and public order in India’s politically sensitive climate.