On Monday, the Delhi High Court concluded proceedings on a plea filed by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi opposing the release of the docuseries 'Lawrence of Punjab' on an OTT platform, stating that the issue had become moot after the Centre advised against its release.
Court's Observations
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav noted that as long as the advisories issued by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting remain in force, the makers cannot release the docuseries. The court orally remarked, "As and when they do something, you can always come back. Today unless the advisories are set aside, they can't release."
Concerns Over Altered Content
The petitioner's counsel expressed concerns that the docuseries might be released in a different format, such as by changing character names. In response, Justice Kaurav said the petitioner would be free to take appropriate legal action if that happens.
OTT Platform's Challenge to Advisories
The senior counsel representing the OTT platform stated that they are challenging the Centre's three advisories, dated April 23 and April 24, before a court of competent jurisdiction. He argued that the current petition was not maintainable due to lack of territorial jurisdiction, adding, "We are in the process of challenging the advisories in the Punjab and Haryana High Court because it is based on inputs from Punjab Police."
Plea Declared Infructuous
The senior counsel also noted that the Centre's action had rendered the present petition infructuous. The court ordered, "The court finds that the cause raised in the writ petition has been rendered infructuous. In view of the advisories, this court finds that respondent may not be possibly releasing the content of 'Lawrence of Punjab'. Liberty is granted to petitioner to intervene or take any other appropriate step in the process of challenging the said advisories at the instance of the respondent. Leaving all contentions open, the petition is disposed of."
Background of the Docuseries
The makers describe the show as tracing "the journey of a criminal identity through the lens of culture, systems, and visibility," presenting Bishnoi as a case study in the ecosystem of student politics, music, ideology, and media amplification.
Bishnoi's Legal Status
Lawrence Bishnoi, 33, is currently lodged in a Gujarat jail and faces multiple criminal cases. He is among the key accused in the murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala.
Punjab Police's Concerns
Earlier, Punjab Police urged the Centre to direct the OTT platform not to stream the docuseries, warning it could threaten public order. The cybercrime division of Punjab Police highlighted that such content could increase the risk of youth being influenced and drawn towards criminal activities.
Centre's Advisory
In a communication dated April 24, the Centre advised the OTT platform against releasing 'Lawrence of Punjab'. It stated that platforms should exercise caution before publishing content that may incite violence or disrupt public order. The Centre noted that Punjab Police flagged that the content includes dramatized portrayals and real-life footage that could glorify organized crime.
