Congress MP Raja Warring Moves Punjab & Haryana High Court Seeking Stay On 'Lawrence Of Punjab' Web Series

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Punjab & Haryana High Court seeking an urgent stay on the proposed release and streaming of the web series “Lawrence of Punjab” on the OTT platform ZEE5, owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited.

The plea has been filed by Ludhiana MP Raja Warring through Advocate Nikhil Ghai. The matter was mentioned urgently for listing on April 24 as the series is scheduled for release on April 27,

The present PIL highlights concerns relating to public order and societal harmony.

As per the plea, the impugned web series is based on the life and activities of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and seeks to depict his “rise” from a student leader to the head of a criminal syndicate.

The petition contends that the portrayal of a real-life gangster's rise, power, and influence may glorify criminal activity; such content could have an adverse impact on impressionable minds, particularly the youth; It may disturb public order and societal harmony in a sensitive state like Punjab, Streaming such content without adequate safeguards reflects a lack of responsible regulation of OTT platforms.

The petitioner has sought stay on the release and streaming of the web series “Lawrence of Punjab”, directions to authorities to examine the legality and impact of such content and appropriate guidelines to ensure responsible digital broadcasting on OTT platforms.

Title: Amarinder Singh Raja Warring v.UOI & Ors