MAULANA ARSHAD MADANI vs UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

Judgment text excerpt

$~48 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Date of Decision: 10.07.2025 + W.P.(C) 9362/2025 & CM APPL. 39626/2025 MAULANA ARSHAD MADANI .....Petitioner Through: Mr.Kapil Sibal, Sr.Adv. with Mr.Fuzail Ahmad Ayyubi, Ms.Rashmi Singh, Ms.Rupali Samuel, Mr.Ibad Mushtaq, Ms.Akanksha Rai, Ms.Gurneet Kaur, Advs. versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Chetan Sharma, Sr. Adv. (ASG) with Mr. Amit Tiwari, CGSC with Mr. Amit Gupta, Ms.Avshreya Pratap Singh Rudy, Mr.Vikramaditya Singh, Mr.Ayush Tanwar, Ms.Ayushi Srivastava, Mr.R.V.Prabhat, and Ms.Harshita Chatuvedi, Advs and Mr.Shivam Sachdeva, G.P. for R-1 & 2. Mr.Shreeyash Lalit with Mr.Pulkit Agarwal, Mr.Anubhav Tamta, Mr.Sudhanshu Kumar, Mr.Sudhanshu K, Mr.Lavam Tyagi, Advs for R-3. Mr.Shreyash Lalit, Mr.Pulkit Agarwal, Mr.Sudhanshu Kaushesh and Mr.Anubhav Lamba, Advs for R- 5. Ms.Mamta Rani Jha with Mr.Rohan Ahuja, Ms.Shruttima Ehersa, Ms.Devangini Rai, Ms.Diya Viswanath, Advs for R-9. Signature Not Verified W.P.(C) 9362/2025 Page 1 of 23 Digiltally Signed By:SREERAM L Signing Date:11.07.2025 12:32:31 CORAM: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANISH DAYAL DEVENDRA KUMAR UPADHYAYA, CJ. (ORAL) 1. Heard Mr. Kapil Sibal, learned senior counsel for the petitioner, Mr.Chetan Sharma, learned ASG representing the respondent no.1 and 2, Mr. Shreeyash Lalit, and Mr. Pulkit Agarwal, learned counsel representing respondent no.3 and 5 respectively. Ms. Devangini Rai, has put in appearance for respondent no.9. 2. Proceedings of this Public Interest Litigation Petition have been instituted challenging the certification of the film “Udaipur Files” under Section 5A of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (hereinafter referred to as the „Act‟) which has been granted by the Board of Film Certification (hereinafter referr