The Delhi high court on July 30 questioned the Central government if it had the authority to order further cuts in Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder as it may amount to sitting in appeal over the Central Board of Film Certification.
After being informed that the Centre, while exercising its revisional powers under the Cinematograph Act, had suggested six cuts and addition of a disclaimer, a bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela told the government “You have to exercise the powers within the four corners of the statute. You can’t go beyond that.” The HC was also informed that though the film was re-certified, the certificate had not been issued to the producers as the matter was pending in the HC.
The court pointed out that section 6 of the Cinematograph Act permitted the government to deem a film to be uncertified in the whole or any part of the country, change the rating of certification, or direct that the film may not be exhibited. But the bench sought to know if the government also had the power under the statute to order further cuts.
The HC was hearing a plea by Mohammed Javed, one of the accused in the real-life Kanhaiya Lal murder case, objecting to the film’s release on the grounds that it would prejudice his right to a fair trial.
