In a major legal setback for IRS officer and former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) official Sameer Wankhede, the Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed his ₹2 crore defamation petition against Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, his production house Red Chillies Entertainment, and Netflix. The petition was linked to the web series Bads of Bollywood, directed by Shah Rukh’s son Aryan Khan, which Wankhede claimed mocked him.
Court Rejects Petition on Jurisdiction Grounds
Justice Purushendra Kumar Kaurav refused to hear the matter, citing lack of jurisdiction, and advised Wankhede to approach the appropriate court. “The petitioner is free to move the competent forum. The petition is dismissed for want of jurisdiction,” the court stated.
The hearing involved intense arguments between senior lawyers on both sides. Wankhede was represented by senior advocate J. Sai Deepak, Red Chillies Entertainment by senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, and Netflix by senior counsel Rajeev Nair.
Wankhede’s Allegations Against the Series
In his petition, Wankhede alleged that the series portrayed him in a “false, malicious, and defamatory” manner. He specifically objected to a scene where a character raises a middle finger immediately after chanting “Satyamev Jayate,” claiming it disrespected his reputation. Wankhede sought ₹2 crore in damages, intending to donate the amount to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital.
His lawyer argued that the case could be heard in Delhi because Wankhede’s relatives reside there and certain departmental proceedings were pending in the capital.
Red Chillies and Netflix’s Defense
Red Chillies contended that the petition should have been filed in Mumbai, as Wankhede resides there and the company’s registered office is also in Mumbai. Netflix stated that the show is intended as satire and dark comedy, exposing Bollywood culture, and that defamation claims at an initial stage are difficult to establish. The company also pointed out that allegations related to Wankhede’s handling of the Aryan Khan case had been in the public domain since 2022.
Who Are the Defendants?
The defendants in Wankhede’s petition include Shah Rukh Khan, Gauri Khan, Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, X Corp (formerly Twitter), Google LLC, Meta Platforms, RPG Lifestyle Media Pvt Ltd, and John Doe entities.
Wankhede’s Claim
Wankhede alleged that the series’ content is “intentionally defamatory” and harmful to his reputation, particularly because legal proceedings against him and Aryan Khan are ongoing in the Bombay High Court and NDPS Special Court. He also claimed the depiction violated the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and provisions of the Information Technology Act and Indian Penal Code, as it allegedly insulted national sentiments through obscene gestures.
The Delhi High Court’s decision marks a significant hurdle for Wankhede, though he remains free to approach a court with proper jurisdiction to pursue his defamation claim.
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