New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has refused to grant an interim order to halt the release of the film "Udaipur Files," which is based on the 2022 murder case of Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The movie is now expected to be released on Friday.

The petition to stay the release was filed by Mohammed Javed, one of the accused in the case, who argued that the film’s promotional content was provocative, communally sensitive, and could prejudice the ongoing trial before the Special NIA court. However, the Bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela dismissed the plea, stating the petitioner failed to demonstrate a prima facie case in his favour. They also noted the significant investments made by the producer and said that delaying the film would disturb the balance of convenience, which favours the producer.

Earlier, the film’s release was temporarily halted by the Delhi High Court, leading to further litigation that reached the Supreme Court. The apex court directed objectors to approach the Delhi High Court to challenge the Centre’s revisional order that permitted the movie’s exhibition with six edits.

On Wednesday, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting informed the Delhi High Court that it upheld the certification of "Udaipur Files" and rejected revision petitions under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

This latest order paves the way for the film’s release despite concerns surrounding its content and the ongoing trial.

With inputs from IANS