Chandigarh, April 24: The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory to the OTT platform ZEE5, requesting that it refrain from releasing “Lawrence of Punjab,” a documentary series centered on gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The communication, issued April 24, stated that the content could incite violence and create significant law and order challenges.
This federal intervention follows specific concerns raised by the Punjab Police regarding the potential glorification of organized crime. Authorities maintained that such content could adversely influence younger audiences and romanticize criminal lifestyles. The ministry noted a “reasonable apprehension” that the series could be prejudicial to public harmony and might lead to the commission of cognisable offences.
The decision arrives as the Punjab and Haryana High Court reviews a public interest litigation filed by Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. The petitioner asserted that the series, which was scheduled for an April 27 premiere, would negatively impact public sentiment. The ministry’s communication referenced earlier judicial directions aimed at preventing the broadcast of material that celebrates criminal activities.
In its advisory, the ministry affirmed that the order was issued with the approval of the competent authority. It cited previous correspondence from October 2025 and April 23, 2026, as the basis for the current directive. ZEE5 has been advised to take appropriate action in response to these safety and legal concerns.
