JAIPUR: Inspired by a viral photograph of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi wearing a striking black-and-orange jacket while being escorted to court, a new trend dubbed “Lawrence Jacket” has taken social media by storm across Rajasthan, drawing police’s attention.
Kotputli-Behror police Tuesday arrested three men for selling replicas of the jacket in the local market. SP Devendra Kumar Bishnoi said Krishna alias Guddu Sharma, 38, Sanjay Saini, 31, and Sureshchand Sharma, 50, were caught selling 35 jackets with the gangster’s name at City Plaza in Kotputli town.
Bishnoi said the arrests were made following directives from police headquarters to curb the glorification of criminals and gangsters. “Under the supervision of ASP Nazim Ali and Circle Officer Rajendra Kumar Burdak, the Kotputli team led by SHO Rajesh Kumar Sharma conducted raids after gathering intelligence on individuals selling jackets branded with Bishnoi’s name,” he said.
According to sources, the photo that sparked the trend was reportedly taken around 2017–2018, during Bishnoi’s court appearance. The image resurfaced on Instagram recently, spawning an online trend of youngsters attempting to imitate the gangster’s style.
Police officials said the trend was “dangerous” as it normalises crime and fuels fascination with gang culture. “We have in the past acted against social media users who glorify gangsters. This is how these criminal groups draw impressionable youth into their network,” said a senior police officer. Police have launched an inquiry to trace others involved in the sale or promotion of such items.
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