Udaipur, July 11, 2025 - A Division Bench of the Delhi High Court, led by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal, has stayed the release of Udaipur Files. The film was to release on July 11.

The Bench was hearing a petition filed by Maulana Arshad Madani and journalist Prashant Tondon. The petitioners demanded a permanent ban on the release of the film, their counsel arguing that the movie promotes hate speech and could incite communal violence as it targets a particular community. The Division Bench has asked the Centre to take a call on the petition within a week and decide whether the film should be released.

Notice to Producer

In its order, the Court noted that the producer had admitted to releasing a teaser of the film, containing portions that were ordered to be removed from the final cut.  The trailer was approved by CBFC on July 2, with certain cuts based on the teaser uploaded on June 26. The film was earlier cleared after certain cuts by the CBFC, on June 20. The CBFC has issued a notice to the producer as the teaser violated the provisions of the Cinematography Act.

Worst Hate Speech

The High Court, in its proceedings, noted while recording the petitioners' submissions that it has been said that the film is the "worst form of hate speech against a community", posing a direct threat to public order and harmony.

Earlier, on Wednesday July 9, the Supreme Court had refused an urgent listing of the plea by one of the accused Mohammed Javed and asked the petitioner to mention it before an appropriate Bench when the SC reopens on July 14 after its summer recess. The petitioner had argued that the release of the movie will violate his right to a free trial.