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New docuseries on Lawrence Bishnoi faces political, legal backlash in Punjab
Punjab’s political leadership and victims’ families have urged a ban on Zee5’s docuseries about Lawrence Bishnoi ahead of its April 27 premiere. Legal notices and PIL proposals have been filed, while supporters defend the project as a sociological study. The controversy follows Canada's 2025 terrorist-entity designation for Bishnoi's gang.
Why It Matters
The backlash highlights tensions between media portrayals of crime and public policy, with potential influence on youth and public order in Punjab.
Timeline
5 Events
Legal action and defense ahead of April 27 premiere
April 21, 2026
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring served a legal notice seeking a ban on the docuseries and announced plans to file a public interest litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court ahead of the April 27 premiere. Moose Wala’s father Balkaur Singh criticised the project; Shiromani Akali Dal leader Arshdeep Singh Kler called for a ban. AAP spokesperson Neel Garg defended the government’s stance. Zee5 and Riverland Entertainment defended the project as a sociological study directed by Raghav Darr, with Zee5's Kaveri Das stating the series examines the ecosystem rather than glorifying individuals.
Canada designates Bishnoi gang as terrorist entity
September 2025
In September 2025, the Government of Canada listed the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity.
Jail interview cited by critics
2023
Critics point to Bishnoi’s jail interview conducted in 2023 as fueling concerns that the series could sanitise a criminal’s image for public entertainment.
Moose Wala murder and Brar's claim of responsibility
May 29, 2022
Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead on May 29, 2022 in Jawaharke village, Mansa district. Goldy Brar, then a close aide of Bishnoi based in Canada, claimed responsibility for the murder in a Facebook post.
Bishnoi's incarceration since 2015
2015
Lawrence Bishnoi has been incarcerated since 2015 and is currently lodged in Gujarat's Sabarmati Jail.