New Delhi

The Delhi High Court on Monday closed proceedings on a petition filed by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi against the release of the docuseries Lawrence of Punjab on ZEE5, observing that nothing remained to be decided after the Centre advised the platform not to release it.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said that unless advisories issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were set aside, the makers would not be in a position to release the series.

When counsel for Bishnoi expressed apprehension that the content might be released in another form by changing names or characters, the court said the petitioner could seek appropriate legal remedies at that stage.

The OTT platform’s senior counsel informed the court that it was challenging three advisories issued by the Centre on April 23 and 24 before a competent court. He said the matter would be taken to the Punjab and Haryana High Court since the advisories were based on inputs from Punjab Police.

The court then held that the cause raised in the petition had become infructuous because the advisories effectively prevented release of the content for now, while granting liberty to Bishnoi to intervene or pursue other remedies if the advisories were challenged.

According to the makers, the show traces the journey of a criminal identity through the lens of culture, systems and visibility, using Bishnoi as a case study involving student politics, music, ideology and media amplification.

Bishnoi, 33, is currently lodged in a jail in Gujarat and faces multiple criminal cases. He is also one of the main accused in the murder of Sidhu Moosewala.

Earlier, Punjab Police had urged the Centre to direct ZEE5 not to air the series, saying it posed risks to public order and could influence youth toward gangster culture.

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In its April 24 communication, the Centre advised OTT platforms to exercise caution before releasing films or web series, including biopics or documentaries on gangsters and criminals, that could incite violence or disturb public order.