ZEE5 Moves High Court Against Centre’s Advisory on ‘Lawrence of Punjab’ Release

Chandigarh– Streaming platform ZEE5 has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the Centre’s advisory that urged platforms not to release the docuseries Lawrence of Punjab.

In its petition, the platform has argued that the advisory issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting does not cite any specific legal provision, and therefore cannot be used to restrict or prevent the release of content.

The High Court bench, hearing the matter, has sought responses from both the Centre and the Punjab government, directing them to file replies by May 11. However, the court has not yet issued a formal notice in the case.

The dispute centres around concerns raised earlier regarding the series, which is reportedly based on jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Critics have argued that such content could potentially glorify criminal activities and impact public order, especially among younger audiences.

Previously, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by Punjab Congress leader Amrinder Singh Raja Warring seeking a stay on the release. However, the plea was later withdrawn after the Centre issued its advisory to OTT platforms.

The advisory had urged streaming services to exercise caution while releasing content related to criminals, including biopics and documentaries, citing concerns that such portrayals could incite violence or disturb law and order.

Meanwhile, the producers and the platform have defended the series, stating that it is intended as a sociological exploration rather than a glorification of crime. They argue that the project examines the broader ecosystem surrounding organised crime, including its links with media and youth culture.

The matter is now set for further hearing, with legal and regulatory questions around digital content and censorship likely to come into focus.