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Warring moves HC against new docuseries on Bishnoi
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring filed a public interest litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking a stay on the release of the docuseries 'Lawrence of Punjab' about gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The PIL argues the series glorifies a criminal figure, risks impacting public order and impressionable youth, and points to a lack of pre-certification for OTT content with calls for stricter regulation. The matter notes urgent listing as the show is scheduled to release on April 27, 2026.
Why It Matters
This case tests the balance between freedom of expression and public order in the OTT era and could influence regulatory norms for online content in India.
Timeline
2 Events
Docuseries release scheduled for April 27, 2026; urgent listing before High Court
April 22, 2026
The article notes that the docuseries is scheduled for release on April 27, 2026, and mentions an urgent listing before the Punjab and Haryana High Court due to the PIL seeking stay. The series is produced by the OTT platform Zee5 and is described as potentially based on the life and activities of the gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, raising concerns about portrayal of criminal figures and the regulatory framework governing OTT content.
PIL filed in Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking stay on docuseries on Lawrence Bishnoi
April 22, 2026
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring filed a public interest litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking a stay on the release of the docuseries ‘Lawrence of Punjab’ on the Zee5 digital platform. The petition, which is yet to be listed, contends that the series glorifies the life of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and may adversely impact public order, particularly among impressionable youth. It also highlights the lack of pre-certification for OTT content and calls for stricter regulatory guidelines, filed through lawyer Nikhil Ghai on Warring’s behalf, with an urgency listing noted as the show is scheduled for release on April 27. The petition argues that the right to freedom of speech is not absolute and may be restricted to preserve public order and morality, and that the content could glorify unlawful conduct through its narrative framework.