The Delhi High Court has issued summons to Netflix, Red Chillies Entertainment, and several digital platforms in a defamation suit filed by IRS officer and ex-NCB official Sameer Wankhede, who claims he was wrongfully portrayed in the Netflix series “The B**ds of Bollywood”, directed by Aryan Khan.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, who is presiding over the case, has asked the involved parties to respond within seven days. The next hearing is scheduled for October 30.

“I’m Being Trolled, So Is My Family”: Wankhede Tells Court

Wankhede, through his legal counsel Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, argued that the series has caused widespread reputational harm and led to online abuse. “In reference to the series, there are posts trolling me, my wife, and my sister. It’s shocking. The defendants are surely not defending those posts,” he told the court.

Sethi also sought interim relief to have the series and related content removed from online platforms, citing the intensity of public backlash. The court, however, has not granted an interim injunction at this stage.

Court Cautions on Procedure, Acknowledges Legal Grounds

While the court acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, it emphasised that proper legal procedure must be followed. “We appreciate that there is cause in your favour to approach this court, but there is a process to be followed,” Justice Kaurav noted.

This comes after the judge previously dismissed the original plea for lacking territorial jurisdiction in Delhi, stating, “I am rejecting your plaint. Had your case been that you have been defamed at various places including in Delhi and the maximum damage has occurred in Delhi, we would still have considered the matter here in Delhi.”

Following that direction, Wankhede submitted an amended suit, now arguing that defamatory content has had a significant impact within Delhi, justifying the court’s jurisdiction.

Defamation Claims and Demand for Damages

In his petition, Wankhede has demanded Rs 2 crore in damages, which he pledged to donate to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital. He is also seeking a permanent and mandatory injunction against the distribution of the series.

According to the plea, “This series disseminates a misleading and negative portrayal of anti-drug enforcement agencies, thereby eroding public confidence in law enforcement institutions.” It further adds that the project was “deliberately conceptualised and executed with the intent to malign Sameer Wankhede’s reputation in a colourable and prejudicial manner.”

Obscenity Allegations Cited Under National Honour Laws

A major point of contention raised in the suit is a particular scene in which a character raises the middle finger immediately after uttering “Satyamev Jayate”, India’s national slogan. Wankhede has called this a violation of national honour.

“This act constitutes a grave and sensitive violation of the provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which attracts penal consequences under law,” the plea states.

Allegations of Law Violation Beyond Defamation

Beyond defamation and insult to national symbols, the plea also claims that the show violates provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to Wankhede, the creators attempted to “outrage national sentiment through the use of obscene and offensive material.”

The petition has named multiple parties including Red Chillies Entertainment, owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan, as well as social media companies such as X (formerly Twitter), Meta, and Google.

Backdrop: Aryan Khan Case and Pending Investigations

Sameer Wankhede came to public attention for his role in the 2021 Mumbai cruise ship drug case, which resulted in the arrest of Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan. Aryan was later cleared of all charges by the NCB in 2022, with the agency stating that “no drugs had been found on Aryan Khan.”

Meanwhile, in May 2023, Wankhede himself was booked by the CBI for allegedly demanding Rs 25 crore from Shah Rukh Khan during the investigation. He has denied the extortion charge and termed it politically motivated, citing personal communication with the actor to support his defence.

What Happens Next

With summons issued and notices served, all respondents including Netflix, Red Chillies, and digital platforms are expected to reply before the October 30 hearing. The court has not ruled on Wankhede’s request to take down the show but continues to review the case as arguments unfold.