Maharashtra Police book sellers, e-commerce platforms for promoting t-shirts glorifying Lawrence Bishnoi and Dawood Ibrahim

The listings, which were found on popular e-commerce sites such as Flipkart, AliExpress, TeeShopper, and Etsy, depict these gangsters as cultural icons, trivialising the serious crimes they are associated with, said an officer of the cyber police.

According to the Maharashtra Cyber Department, the t-shirts, which feature images and slogans idolising criminals, pose a serious risk to public order and social values. “These products are not just pieces of clothing, but vehicles for spreading messages that glamorise crime and violence. By normalising figures like Bishnoi and Ibrahim, these platforms are undermining societal values and potentially encouraging young people to idolise individuals involved in illegal activities,” said an officer of the Maharashtra Cyber Department.

As part of the investigation, the Cyber Department is working with the e-commerce platforms to ensure that such content is promptly removed and that stricter controls are enforced on future listings, said the officer.

While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have stressed the importance of digital platforms in promoting ethical and legal standards, urging e-commerce companies to take stronger measures to prevent the sale of harmful or controversial merchandise.

The Maharashtra Cyber Department has also warned that similar actions will be taken against other platforms found to be hosting content that glorifies criminal activity or undermines societal well-being.

The department actively monitors digital platforms, including social media and online marketplaces, to detect content that could potentially incite law and order issues.