Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Organisers Allege Mumbai Police Pressured Venues Over Umar Khalid Screening
Organisers planned a private film screening in Mumbai about Umar Khalid.
They said 40 to 60 people had registered to attend.
The organisers first considered one venue and then chose a second venue.
They alleged that people in civilian clothes, who they believed were police officers, questioned the second venue’s manager.
They said the manager was pressured to cancel the event.
The organisers also said police later visited the first venue, even though the screening was no longer planned there.
Mumbai Police had not responded in the reports.
The film’s director is Lalit Vachani, and the film concerns Khalid, who has been held since 2020 in a case linked to the Delhi riots.
Organisers alleged that Mumbai Police pressured managers at two venues to cancel a private screening of a documentary about Umar Khalid.
They said plainclothes personnel questioned venue managers, and a police vehicle later arrived at the second venue.
The organisers alleged police also visited the first venue after the event had been cancelled and was no longer scheduled there.
The screening of “Prisoner No. 626710 is Present” was planned for Saturday in Mumbai, with 40 to 60 registered attendees expected.
Mumbai Police had not provided a response in the reports, while the CBFC opposed public screenings of the uncertified film without an exemption.
- Who
- Organisers Shrishti Khanna, also identified as Shruti Khanna in one report, and Prashant Pundir made the allegations against Mumbai Police.
- What
- A planned private screening of “Prisoner No. 626710 is Present,” a documentary about Umar Khalid, was cancelled.
- When
- The screening was planned for September 19 or the Saturday described in the reports; alleged venue visits occurred on the preceding Friday and following morning.
- Where
- Mumbai, including venues in Andheri and Bandra.
- Why
- According to the organisers, venue managers cancelled after alleged questioning, intimidation and pressure by police personnel.
Organisers’ allegations
Police and certification position
Reason for cancellation
Organisers’ allegations
The organisers alleged that plainclothes personnel questioned, intimidated and pressured managers at two venues, leading to cancellation of the screening.
Police and certification position
Mumbai Police’s response was not included in the reports; one report said the police commissioner’s office had been contacted.
Visit to the first venue
Organisers’ allegations
The organisers alleged that police visited the first venue even after it had been ruled out and attendees had been told the screening was cancelled.
Police and certification position
The reports did not provide a police explanation for the alleged visit or say what information led officers to the venue.
Private event and film certification
Organisers’ allegations
The organisers described the event as a private, paid screening for people registered in advance, rather than a public demonstration or unlawful gathering.
Police and certification position
The Central Board of Film Certification opposed public exhibition of the uncertified film without a specific exemption under the Cinematograph Act.
- Documentary
- “Prisoner No. 626710 is Present”
- Director
- Lalit Vachani
- Expected attendance
- 40 to 60 registered attendees
- Organisers
- Shrishti Khanna, also named Shruti Khanna in one report, and Prashant Pundir
- Umar Khalid’s custody
- He has remained in custody since his arrest in September 2020
- Related case
- A conspiracy case connected to the 2020 Delhi riots; the trial has not begun
- Police response
- The reports said Mumbai Police had not provided a response
- Certification position
- The Central Board of Film Certification said public exhibition of an uncertified film would violate the Cinematograph Act unless a specific exemption had been obtained
Sources
Mumbai Police pressured 2 venues into cancelling Umar Khalid film screening, allege organisers
Activists accuse Mumbai cops of pressuring people, raiding venues to stop Umar Khalid film screening