Strict action on glorification of gangsters…. Ban on release of ‘Lawrence of Punjab’ web series, Center gives warning
Chandigarh. Taking cognizance of the letter written by Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Wadding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the petition filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory to the OTT platform ZEE5 and directed it not to release the ‘Lawrence of Punjab’ web series on its platform.
In a letter written to Zee5 on Friday by Kshitij Aggarwal, Deputy Director, Digital Media, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, it has been said that in the context of the petition filed in the Honorable Punjab and Haryana High Court, Amarinder Singh Raja Wadding vs Union of India and others, I would like to draw your attention towards the advisory issued by this Ministry on 27 October 2025.
Through the said advisory, OTT platforms were advised to exercise caution and prudence before publishing/telecasting any film, web series, biopic or documentary based on gangsters and criminals, especially if it is likely to incite violence or affect law and order. Mr Aggarwal said Punjab Police has informed that the content includes dramatic presentations, actual footage and narrative elements which glorify organized crime and criminals.
This can have a negative impact on youth, as it presents crime as normal or attractive. Also, it may weaken the ongoing law-enforcement efforts against gangsterism and affect the law and order situation in the state. Earlier, the High Court had taken suo motu cognizance of Lawrence Bishnoi’s interview recorded from the jail premises. The Court remarked that such content promotes crime and can influence ongoing judicial proceedings and witnesses.
In the order of the court dated 21 December 2023, all the links/videos of the related interview should be immediately removed/blocked. The channel on which the interview was aired should immediately remove it from all platforms. If such content is found in future, immediate action should be taken to remove it. Relevant data should be kept safe for investigation. These contents should be de-indexed from search engines. Additionally, in its order dated January 28, 2026, the Hon’ble High Court reiterated that content glorifying crimes and criminals should be identified and removed immediately.
In view of the above judicial directions, Punjab Police fears that telecast of this documentary may be detrimental to public order and may give rise to cognizable offences. Therefore, as per the Ministry’s letter dated 23 April 2026, ZEE5 has been advised not to release this content. Raja Wadding said that Punjab today is gripped by an atmosphere of fear, where every parent prays in their heart that their child returns home safely. At a time like this, shows like ‘Lawrence of Punjab’ not only do not entertain but also run the risk of glorifying the fear and pain present in society.
He said that this is not a question of politics, but of responsibility. Punjab Congress will lead this fight and will face the gangsters boldly. Raja Wadding said, “I could not remain silent when the name of Punjab was being linked to the gangster culture. I filed a PIL in the Honorable Punjab and Haryana High Court and wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a ban on the ‘Lawrence of Punjab’ series, because it is an issue related to our youth, our identity and the soul of Punjab. Now the release of this content has been stopped. Punjab is not a gangster culture – Punjab is the identity of courage, hard work and self-respect.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said that Special DGP Cyber Crime had raised the matter with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on April 22, 2026, requesting to ban the broadcast of this content under Section 69 of the Information Technology Act. Reiterating its commitment to maintain peace, law and order and social harmony in the state, the Punjab Police had sought the intervention of the Central Government to ban the telecast of ‘Lawrence of Punjab’ web series.
Expressing gratitude for the prompt intervention of the Central Government and the Ministry, the DGP said that this step is important towards ensuring responsible content broadcasting and protecting the social fabric of the State. He said that maintaining peace and harmony in the state is the top priority and any content which may affect the social balance will be monitored.
It is noteworthy that Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Vading had also written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, drawing his necessary attention towards the web series being aired on an OTT platform named ‘Lawrence of Punjab’, which is based on the life of notorious and dangerous criminal/gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
Apart from this, he had also filed a PIL in the Punjab and Haryana High Court demanding a ban on the web series. Raja Vading wrote to the Prime Minister that the film/series tries to glorify a person who has been involved in several heinous crimes including the brutal murder of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala.
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