NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Centre committee to decide on the release and certification of 'Udaipur Files,' "immediately without delay," understanding the urgency expressed by the makers of the film.
The committee is scheduled to address the matter at 2:30 pm, with the Court deferring further hearings until Monday.
"The Competent Authority (of the Central government) has taken cognisance of the revision petition over the release of the film pending before it and will be heard at 2:30 pm today," stated a bench led by Justice Surya Kant, scheduling the next hearing for July 21, Monday.
"Having regard to the nature of the proceedings, we expect that the committee constituted by the CG will decide the revision petition immediately without delay. Post the matter for further consideration on Monday", the Court said in its order.
The Court permitted Mohammad Jawed, the accused in the matter, to present his concerns regarding a fair trial before the Central committee. The committee was instructed to provide him with a fair hearing.
The film producers and the deceased Kanhaiya Lal's son reported receiving death threats. The Court authorised them to seek protection from their respective Superintendent of Police (SP), who were instructed to evaluate the threats and take necessary protective measures.
Senior Advocate Gaurab Bhatia, representing the filmmakers, argued for the Supreme Court to decide the matter, citing financial losses and infringement of free speech rights due to the stay on release.
The petitioners' counsels, Kapil Sibal and Maneka Guruswamy, contended that the film's release would compromise the accused's right to a fair trial and portrayed the Muslim community negatively.
"Once I saw the movie, I was shaken. If any judge were to see that, it is a complete thematic desecration of the case. It's the vilification of an entire community. Violence, homosexuality, denigration of women, and child abuse have been attributed to the community. It is unthinkable that a democratic nation will allow this movie to be certified," Sibal and Maneka Guruswamy said.
Bhatia responded by highlighting the beheading incident and subsequent video uploads. He noted that the film had incorporated all 55 CBFC-directed cuts before certification.
The Court concluded by directing the Central government committee to make an immediate decision while scheduling the next hearing for Monday.
The committee is scheduled to address the matter at 2:30 pm, with the Court deferring further hearings until Monday.
"The Competent Authority (of the Central government) has taken cognisance of the revision petition over the release of the film pending before it and will be heard at 2:30 pm today," stated a bench led by Justice Surya Kant, scheduling the next hearing for July 21, Monday.
"Having regard to the nature of the proceedings, we expect that the committee constituted by the CG will decide the revision petition immediately without delay. Post the matter for further consideration on Monday", the Court said in its order.
The Court permitted Mohammad Jawed, the accused in the matter, to present his concerns regarding a fair trial before the Central committee. The committee was instructed to provide him with a fair hearing.
The film producers and the deceased Kanhaiya Lal's son reported receiving death threats. The Court authorised them to seek protection from their respective Superintendent of Police (SP), who were instructed to evaluate the threats and take necessary protective measures.
Senior Advocate Gaurab Bhatia, representing the filmmakers, argued for the Supreme Court to decide the matter, citing financial losses and infringement of free speech rights due to the stay on release.
The petitioners' counsels, Kapil Sibal and Maneka Guruswamy, contended that the film's release would compromise the accused's right to a fair trial and portrayed the Muslim community negatively.
"Once I saw the movie, I was shaken. If any judge were to see that, it is a complete thematic desecration of the case. It's the vilification of an entire community. Violence, homosexuality, denigration of women, and child abuse have been attributed to the community. It is unthinkable that a democratic nation will allow this movie to be certified," Sibal and Maneka Guruswamy said.
Bhatia responded by highlighting the beheading incident and subsequent video uploads. He noted that the film had incorporated all 55 CBFC-directed cuts before certification.
The Court concluded by directing the Central government committee to make an immediate decision while scheduling the next hearing for Monday.
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