Delhi HC declines Wankhede defamation suit

IRS officer Sameer Wankhede filed a defamation lawsuit against Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix over their web series 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood'. Sameer Wankhede alleges that the series contains defamatory content created to settle personal scores and avenge the 2021 narcotics arrest of Shah Rukh Khan's son, Aryan Khan. He claims the series, written and directed by Aryan Khan, was orchestrated to target and malign him, and depicts a character making an obscene gesture while reciting 'Satyamev Jayate', violating the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Sameer Wankhede sought 2 crore rupees in damages, which he intends to donate to Tata Memorial Centre. The India — Delhi High Court, however, ruled that it has no territorial jurisdiction to hear the matter, directing Sameer Wankhede to file his plea before a court with competent jurisdiction, likely in India — Mumbai where both parties reside and the alleged wrong occurred. Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix opposed the suit, arguing the show is a satire and dark comedy.