Delhi High Court closes hearing on the release of ‘Lawrence of Punjab’, know what is the reason?
New Delhi: Delhi High Court has stopped the hearing on the petition of Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, in which he had sought a ban on the release of the proposed series “Lawrence of Punjab” on the OTT platform. The court said in its order that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has already advised not to release this series due to security reasons, hence there is no need for further intervention in this matter. During the hearing, the lawyer appearing on behalf of Bishnoi expressed apprehension that if the series is released by changing the names of the characters, then he may again seek legal help.
This order was given by the bench of Justice Purushendra Kumar Kaurav. The court said that after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting advised OTT platforms not to release the docuseries, there is nothing left to do in the case. The court clarified that unless this advice of the Central Government is formally withdrawn, it does not seem possible for the producers to release this docuseries. During the hearing, the petitioner side also expressed apprehension that in future the material may be released by changing the names of the characters, which may again create controversy. However, the court said that in such a situation the petitioners can again take recourse to the legal process.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer expressed apprehension that this docuseries may be released in some other form or in a changed format, due to which the controversy may arise again. On this, the bench of Justice Purushendra Kumar Kaurav clarified that in the current situation there is no need to pursue the matter further, because the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has already advised the OTT platform not to release it.
Senior advocate appearing for the OTT platforms told the court that they are challenging the three advisories issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on April 23 and 24 in a court of competent jurisdiction. He also argued that the present petition is not maintainable before this bench as it involves the issue of territorial jurisdiction. This matter came into limelight when a legal dispute arose over the possible release of the docuseries and following the advice of the Ministry, a situation like a ban on its telecast was created.
The advocate told the court that he is in the process of challenging the advisory of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He said that this advice is based on the input received from Punjab Police, hence it is being challenged legally. In this case, it was also reported that 33-year-old Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently lodged in a jail in Gujarat, is facing several criminal cases. He is also one of the main accused in the murder case of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala.
Earlier, Punjab Police had written a letter to the Central Government appealing for instructions not to telecast such docuseries on the OTT platform Zee5. The police argued that the release of such material could pose a serious threat to law and order and public safety. The petitioner party also says that the release of this docuseries may give rise to a sensitive situation, hence it should not be telecast.
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