India, April 24 -- The central government has formally advised OTT platform ZEE5 to withhold the release of its upcoming docuseries, Lawrence of Punjab, following concerns that the content glorifies gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

During a hearing in the Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday, additional solicitor general Satya Pal Jain presented a letter from the ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) addressed to ZEE5. This led Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring to withdraw his public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a stay on the series.

The show, slated for an April 27 premiere, faced legal scrutiny for its potential to disturb public order and influence impressionable viewers.

Reacting to the development, Warri...