Former NCB Director Sameer Wankhede Files Defamation Suit Against 'Ba***ds of Bollywood' Series

Sameer Wankhede has filed a defamation lawsuit before the Delhi High Court against Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment.

Former NCB Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede declined to directly address questions regarding the 'Ba***ds of Bollywood' series during a recent event in Mumbai. When approached by reporters, he simply stated, "I won't comment on all this. I'll just say one thing: Satyamev Jayate."

Wankhede was speaking at a drug awareness camp where he emphasized the escalating drug consumption problems in Northern and Eastern Mumbai. He underscored the necessity of public awareness and community involvement to address this growing issue effectively.

"In our Mumbai area, particularly in Northern and Eastern regions, we need to raise awareness about different types of drugs and the legal provisions concerning them," Wankhede explained during the event.

The former NCB officer expressed satisfaction with the interaction at the awareness camp. "I'm very pleased to have had the opportunity to speak with children, parents, mothers, and religious leaders, helping them understand the legal framework to the best of my ability," he added.

The anti-drug program in Mumbai's Govandi area was organized by a Samajwadi Party leader, with Wankhede attending as the chief guest.

In a related development, the Delhi High Court recently heard Wankhede's defamation suit against Netflix, Red Chillies Entertainment (owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan), and others regarding the series "Ba***ds of Bollywood."

The case was presented before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav. Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi represented Wankhede, while Senior Advocates Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi appeared for Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment.

Justice Kaurav inquired about the jurisdiction for filing the suit in Delhi. Sethi argued that since the series was intended for nationwide audiences including Delhi, and memes targeting Wankhede were circulating in the capital, jurisdiction was established.

In his legal filing, Wankhede has sought permanent and mandatory injunction, declaration, and damages against the production house and Netflix. He claims to have been harmed by "false, malicious, and defamatory" content in Aryan Khan's directorial debut show.

Wankhede's plea asserts that the series "disseminates a misleading and negative portrayal of anti-drug enforcement agencies, thereby eroding public confidence in law enforcement institutions."

He further alleges that the series was deliberately created to damage his reputation, particularly when legal proceedings involving him and Aryan Khan remain pending before the Bombay High Court and the NDPS Special Court in Mumbai.

The former NCB officer contends that this portrayal unfairly targets him while judicial scrutiny is still ongoing.