Delhi High Court Dismisses Sameer Wankhede’s ‘B***ds of Bollywood’ Defamation Suit

The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed a defamation suit filed by former Narcotics Control Bureau officer Sameer Wankhede against Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment, the production house owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The lawsuit pertained to Wankhede’s alleged portrayal in the web series The B**ds of Bollywood*, directed by Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan.

The court ruled that it lacked the territorial jurisdiction to hear the matter, effectively rejecting the plea at this stage. However, the court clarified that Wankhede was at liberty to approach an appropriate forum if he wished to pursue the case further.

The order was passed by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, who examined whether the Delhi High Court was the correct legal forum to adjudicate the dispute. The ruling brings significant relief to the makers of the series, clearing a major legal hurdle that could have affected the show’s release or continued streaming.

Wankhede had moved the court alleging that the Netflix series defamed him and harmed his reputation. He sought damages amounting to ₹2 crore, stating that the compensation, if awarded, would be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital to support cancer patients. The former officer also raised objections to a particular scene in the series, where a character is shown making an obscene gesture immediately after uttering the national slogan “Satyamev Jayate,” arguing that it was offensive and inappropriate.

During the hearing, Wankhede’s legal counsel argued that the Delhi High Court had jurisdiction to entertain the suit. It was contended that the presence of Wankhede’s relatives in the national capital and the pendency of departmental proceedings related to him in Delhi provided sufficient grounds for filing the case there.

The legal team representing Red Chillies Entertainment strongly opposed this argument, challenging the maintainability of the suit on territorial grounds. They asserted that the case should have been filed in Mumbai, where Wankhede resides and where the production house has its registered office. According to the defence, these factors made Mumbai the appropriate jurisdiction for the dispute.

The court agreed with the argument on jurisdiction, holding that it could not entertain the plea due to the absence of a sufficient territorial nexus with Delhi. While dismissing the suit, the court left the door open for Wankhede to seek legal remedies in a competent court.

The case attracted widespread attention due to Wankhede’s high-profile role in the 2021 cruise ship drug case, in which Aryan Khan was arrested over allegations related to possession and consumption of narcotics. That episode placed Wankhede at the centre of intense public scrutiny and media debate, making the defamation suit closely watched by both legal and entertainment circles.

With the Delhi High Court’s decision, The B**ds of Bollywood* faces no immediate legal restraint from this case. The ruling underscores the importance of jurisdiction in defamation proceedings and highlights how procedural issues can decisively shape the outcome of high-profile legal battles.