Overview
- Students at NALSAR University of Law organised a private, student‑only screening of Prisoner No. 626710 is Present on September 23 that university officials say was not authorised and drew about 30 to 40 attendees.
- The documentary remains uncertified by the Central Board of Film Certification and the CBFC has said public showings without a formal exemption would violate the 1952 Cinematograph Act.
- Planned public or campus screenings at IIIT‑Hyderabad, NLSIU Bengaluru, Pune and Nashik were cancelled after the CBFC raised concerns or police and administrators warned organisers the events could be illegal.
- The ABVP and the Telangana BJP have publicly condemned the NALSAR screening, asked the university to hold an inquiry and sought action against those responsible under campus rules.
- The dispute sits against Umar Khalid’s long pre‑trial detention on UAPA charges from 2020 and could lead to more administrative probes, narrower event approvals on campuses, and further political mobilisation around freedom of expression.