Lawrence Bishnoi, Dawood T-Shirts Sold Online: Maharashtra Cyber Cell Files FIR

Last Updated:

Maharashtra State Cyber Department, under the Office of the Special Inspector General of Police, has registered an FIR against various e-commerce platforms, including Flipkart, AliExpress, TeeShopper, and Etsy.

The department stressed that merchandise featuring criminal icons could contribute to normalising violence and crime in society. (Image: X)
The department stressed that merchandise featuring criminal icons could contribute to normalising violence and crime in society. (Image: X)

In a significant move to curb online content that could potentially influence the society negatively, the Maharashtra State Cyber Department, under the Office of the Special Inspector General of Police, has registered an FIR against various e-commerce platforms, including Flipkart, AliExpress, TeeShopper, and Etsy. This action came after these platforms were found selling T-shirts that glorify notorious gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Dawood Ibrahim, sending a concerning message that idolises criminal figures.

The Cyber Department, as Maharashtra’s nodal agency for cyber security and cybercrime, actively monitors the digital landscape to detect and address content that could destabilise law and order. In a recent sweep, it identified these objectionable items on popular online marketplaces. According to the department, products like these pose a significant risk by promoting a distorted and dangerous image of criminals, particularly to impressionable young minds. The department stressed that merchandise featuring criminal icons could contribute to normalising violence and crime in society.

related stories

    This is not just a case of fashion, the department stated, but a deliberate glamourisation of criminal lifestyles through seemingly harmless apparel. By showcasing symbols associated with criminals like Bishnoi and Ibrahim, such merchandise risks eroding societal values and trivialising the severity of crimes these individuals are linked to. The department fears that idolising criminal elements in this manner could encourage young people to admire and even emulate unlawful behaviour.

    In response to these concerns, the Maharashtra Cyber Department registered an FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. The cyber department cited sections including 192, 196, 353, and 3 of the BNS, 2023, along with section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, against both the sellers responsible for listing these products and the platforms that hosted them.

    In its press note, the Cyber Department emphasised that idolising criminal figures through casual merchandise can dangerously glamourise illegal activities, effectively corrupting youth values. They noted that such idolisation not only compromises societal norms but trivialises the severity of crimes committed by these individuals. The department underlined its commitment to fostering a safe and secure digital environment, ensuring that harmful content like this does not proliferate on online platforms accessible to the public.

    top videos

    View all
      player arrow

      Swipe Left For Next Video

      View all

      This action by the Maharashtra State Cyber Department signals a clear message: glorification of crime, whether intentional or incidental, will not be tolerated. By holding e-commerce platforms accountable, Maharashtra’s law enforcement aims to preserve societal values and prevent any negative influences on the youth. This incident also serves as a reminder for e-commerce platforms to exercise greater responsibility in monitoring the products sold on their sites, ensuring they do not unwittingly contribute to glorifying or popularising unlawful figures.

      With this FIR, the Maharashtra State Cyber Department has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing digital content that could potentially disrupt public peace, and has sent a stern warning to those who might seek to exploit the online marketplace for promoting harmful ideologies.

      News india Lawrence Bishnoi, Dawood T-Shirts Sold Online: Maharashtra Cyber Cell Files FIR
      Read More
      PreviousNext