Zee5 To Move Delhi High Court Against Centre's Advisory Not To Release 'Lawrence Of Punjab' Web Series

OTT platform ZEE5, owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, is likely to move the Delhi High Court challenging an advisory issued by the Union Government not to release the upcoming web series “Lawrence of Punjab”.

The web series is scheduled for release on April 27.

The submission was made by Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar appearing on behalf of the OTT platform before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav.

The Court was hearing a plea filed by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi against the release of the web series based on him.

The Court was informed by Nayar that earlier today, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued the advisory asking them not to go ahead with the release.

Nayar said that while there was no stay on the release, but Zee will be challenging the advisory. Accordingly, the Court deferred the matter till Monday.

In a related news, a PIL seeking similar relief has been filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The plea has been filed there by Ludhiana MP Raja Warring. He has raised concerns relating to public order and societal harmony.

Today, the Punjab and Haryana High Court disposed of the plea after the Central government advised ZEE5 not to release the series. 

The Union Government told the OTT platform that the Punjab Police has informed that there exists a reasonable apprehension that the release of the documentary is prejudicial to public order and has the potential to incite the commission of cognizable offences.

Title: Lawrence Bishnoi v. Union of India & Ors