Punjab AG Threatened After State Blocks 'Lawrence Of Punjab' Trailer

Punjab Advocate General Maninderjit Singh Bedi has received death threats following State's crackdown on content glorifying gangster culture, including the blocking of trailer of “Lawrence of Punjab”— a web series allegedly inspired by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

Bishnoi is presently lodged in high-security Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in connection with several cases of murder, extortion, drug trafficking etc.

An official confirmed that AG Maninderjit Singh received threatening messages for the second time today, purportedly from Bishnoi's gang, following blocking of the trailer released by ZEE5. First threat was received after the PIL was disposed of following the advisory to block the trailer.

The OTT platform was earlier advised by the Central government against releasing the web series, based on State's representation.

The platform's challenge to the said advisory is pending before the High Court, and is listed next on May 11.

Earlier, the AG had said that the State has already blocked over 2600 links relating to videos of Lawrence Bishnoi glorifying crime.

Zee5 claims that the advisory effectively restrained the release of web series without citing statutory backing or following due process and amounts to an unlawful pre-publication restraint on its right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

The State has maintained that such content has the potential to adversely impact youth and disturb public order.