IRS Officer Sameer Wankhede Challenges Netflix Series in Delhi High Court Over Alleged Defamation

New Delhi:

The Delhi High Court on Friday questioned IRS officer Sameer Wankhede regarding the maintainability of his defamation case against Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix. The lawsuit alleges that the web series 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood' damaged his reputation.

Mr Wankhede has filed for permanent and mandatory injunction, declaration, and damages against Red Chillies Entertainment Private Limited, Netflix, and other parties. He claims they produced and broadcast "false, malicious and defamatory video" content in their series, which is directed by Shah Rukh Khan's son, Aryan Khan.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav raised questions about the jurisdiction of the case in Delhi, asking Mr Wankhede how the cause of action arose in the national capital.

"It is seen by viewers in Delhi. Insofar as the web series is published for viewing in Delhi, I am defamed," argued Mr Wankhede's attorney Sandeep Sethi before the court.

The court subsequently directed Mr Wankhede to amend his petition to demonstrate that a legitimate cause of action exists in Delhi.

The former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director has requested damages of Rs 2 crore, which he intends to donate to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital to support cancer patients.

According to the petition, the series was deliberately created and executed to damage Mr Wankhede's reputation in a prejudicial manner, particularly concerning since the case involving the officer and Aryan Khan remains pending before the Bombay High Court and the NDPS Special Court in Mumbai.

The petition alleges that the series portrays a character making an obscene gesture—specifically showing a middle finger—after reciting "Satyamev Jayate," which is part of the National Emblem. This act allegedly constitutes a serious violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which carries penal consequences.

The petition further argues that the content violates provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) by using obscene and offensive material that allegedly outrages national sentiment.