Its authority questioned, government recalls 'Udaipur Files' cut order

NEW DELHI: After a second round of litigation, the fate of 'Udaipur Files' is back in the hands of central govt, which on Friday withdrew its direction for six cuts in the movie based on the murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal.Centre informed a Delhi HC bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela that it would examine the matter afresh within the contours of section 6 of the Cinematograph Act, after HC repeatedly highlighted procedural infirmity in govt's earlier decision.The bench was hearing two petitions challenging Centre's decision to allow the release of the movie after directing six further cuts.Taking note of Centre's revised stand, HC directed parties to the plea to appear before govt on Aug 4 and make submissions. It clarified that no further notice was required to be issued to the parties to appear before the revisional authority, and directed that they should not seek adjournment Monday."After hearing the parties, an appropriate decision as per the law should be taken by the revisional authority on the revision petitions by Aug 6," HC said, as filmmakers submitted that the movie was scheduled to be released on Aug 8 and they would take some time to make arrangements for this by engaging theatres.Earlier in the day, the court asked Centre under what authority it had ordered six cuts while exercising its revisional powers. HC asked Centre's counsel to take instructions from authorities, and heard the matter again in the post-lunch session. The counsel informed the court that govt would withdraw the order, revisit the decision and pass a fresh order in accordance with the law. Noting the submissions, the court disposed of the petitions filed by Mohammed Javed, one of the accused in the murder case, and Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani.HC had said at the previous hearing that Centre had to exercise its revisional powers under the Cinematograph Act within the four corners of the statute.