Delhi High Court Summons Netflix, Red Chillies in Sameer Wankhede’s Defamation Case
The Delhi High Court has issued summons to Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, Google, X Corp (formerly Twitter), and Meta in a defamation case filed by Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede. The officer has sought an injunction and removal of scenes from Aryan Khan’s Netflix-directed show “The Ba**ds of Bollywood”* which, he claims, depict him in a negative and defamatory manner.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued summons to the respondents and directed them to file their replies. The Court stated that a general injunction cannot be passed at this stage and listed the matter for further hearing on October 30.
Wankhede, who served as Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in 2021, was responsible for the arrest of Aryan Khan, son of actor Shah Rukh Khan, in the high-profile drug case under the NDPS Act.
In his plea, Wankhede has demanded ₹2 crore in damages from Red Chillies Entertainment (owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan), along with Netflix, X Corp, Google, Meta, and RPG Lifestyle Media Pvt. Ltd.
According to the defamation suit, the series includes a character closely resembling Wankhede, with traits, dialogues, and conduct designed to mock and “target” him. The officer argues that the portrayal is false, malicious, and intended to tarnish his reputation.
He has also requested the Court to order the removal of defamatory content and to restrain all parties — including unidentified individuals (John Does) — from creating or sharing similar material on social media.
The petition further alleges that the show attempts to undermine public trust in law enforcement agencies, particularly those involved in anti-drug operations. It also claims that the web series was conceptualised with the deliberate intent to malign Wankhede while cases concerning him and Aryan Khan are still pending before the Bombay High Court and Special NDPS Court in Mumbai.
Wankhede has told the Court that since the show’s release, he has been receiving threatening and intimidating messages from unknown persons on his social media accounts.
