The long-running conflict between former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer Sameer Wankhede and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s family has taken a new turn. On Thursday, the Delhi High Court refused to hear Sameer Wankhede’s defamation lawsuit against the new Netflix series, The B***ds of Bollywood.
The series is directed by Aryan Khan, whom Wankhede arrested in the famous 2021 Cordelia cruise drug case. Wankhede alleges that the show mocks him and damages his reputation. However, the court returned his complaint, stating that Delhi is not the right place for this legal battle.
Why Did the Court Reject the Plea?
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav of the Delhi High Court ruled that the court does not have “territorial jurisdiction” to hear this case. This means the case was filed in the wrong city.
The court noted that Sameer Wankhede lives in Mumbai. The defendants, including Shah Rukh Khan’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix India, are also based in Mumbai. Therefore, the judge ordered Wankhede to approach a “competent court” (a court with the right authority) in Mumbai instead.
It is important to note that the court did not say Wankhede is wrong about the defamation claims. It simply said it cannot decide the matter because the location is incorrect.
Read more: Delhi News
What is the Controversy About?
The lawsuit focuses on Aryan Khan’s debut directorial series, The B***ds of Bollywood. Wankhede claims that a character in Episode 1 (appearing between the 32nd and 33rd minute) is clearly based on him.
According to Wankhede’s petition:
- The character shares his physical appearance and mannerisms.
- The character makes obscene gestures while saying the national motto, “Satyamev Jayate” (Truth Alone Triumphs).
- He claims this portrayal is malicious and part of a “personal vendetta” by Aryan Khan to take revenge for the 2021 arrest.
Wankhede demanded ₹2 crore in damages, which he pledged to donate to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital. He also wanted the offensive scenes removed from the show.
Wankhede’s Reaction: “I Am Not Demotivated”
Following the court order, Sameer Wankhede spoke to the media and clarified that his fight is not over. He viewed the ruling as a procedural step, not a defeat.
“It has not been dismissed. I have been asked to approach a proper forum… This has not demotivated me at all. I will do the needful and keep fighting for justice,” Wankhede said.
His legal team argued that the show was promoted in Delhi and watched in Delhi, so the case should be heard there. However, the court disagreed.
Background: The 2021 Drug Case
The tension between the two parties dates back to October 2021. Sameer Wankhede, then the Zonal Director of the NCB, led a raid on a cruise ship in Mumbai and arrested Aryan Khan for alleged drug possession.
- Aryan Khan spent over three weeks in jail.
- Later, he was given a “clean chit” by the NCB due to lack of evidence.
- Wankhede himself faced a vigilance inquiry and is currently fighting a CBI case regarding alleged corruption and bribery related to the same raid.
What Happens Next?
Sameer Wankhede is expected to refile his defamation suit in the Bombay High Court or a lower court in Mumbai soon. Legal experts believe the Mumbai court will then have to decide if the Netflix series is “satire” (freedom of speech) or “defamation” (damaging someone’s name intentionally).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Did Sameer Wankhede lose the case against Aryan Khan?
Not exactly. The Delhi High Court did not judge who was right or wrong. It only said that Delhi was the wrong city for this case and asked him to file it in Mumbai.
2. What is the name of the web series involved?
The series is titled The B***ds of Bollywood. It is directed by Aryan Khan and streams on Netflix.
3. What did Sameer Wankhede want from the court?
He wanted the makers to pay ₹2 crore as a penalty and to delete specific scenes that he felt insulted him.
4. Is Sameer Wankhede still in the NCB?
No. He was an IRS officer on loan to the NCB. He has since been repatriated (sent back) to his parent department in the Revenue Service.
5. Why does Wankhede think the show targets him?
He claims a character in the show looks like him and mocks his style of working, specifically referencing the 2021 drug raid events.