Sameer Wankhede VS Ba***ds Of Bollywood: IRS Officer’s Defamation Plea Against Aryan Khan’s Series DISMISSED By Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed the plea filed by Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede against Aryan Khan and his series The Ba***ds of Bollywood, stating that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case. In its ruling, the court also mentioned that Wankhede is free to approach an appropriate court for his grievances. Last year, Wankhede filed a suit alleging that the series, directed by Aryan Khan, damaged his reputation.

Delhi HC Dismisses Defamation Plea By Sameer Wankhede Against Aryan Khan

The court had previously reserved its order on an interim injunction plea related to Wankhede’s allegations that the series portrayed him defamatorily. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav considered detailed arguments from Wankhede, the production banner Red Chillies Entertainment (owned by Shah Rukh Khan, Aryan Khan’s father), and Netflix. Two key questions were set for the decision:

1. Is the suit maintainable in Delhi?
2. Does the depiction of Wankhede in the series, viewed as a whole, prima facie cause actionable harm?

Sameer Wankhede’s Lawyer’s Statement

Senior Advocate J Sai Deepak, representing Wankhede, argued that the suit was maintainable in Delhi, citing Wankhede’s relatives’ residence, ongoing departmental proceedings in Delhi, and articles published against him by media outlets based in the city.

Deepak contended that the circumstances met the “wrong done” test and that no prior judgments between the parties negated the claim. He emphasised that the series explicitly targets Wankhede, linking it to personal vendettas and causing him irreparable harm. Deepak urged the court to remove the defamatory content, asserting that the ongoing availability of the content continued to harm Wankhede. The case involved malice, which cannot be justified under free speech or satire.

What Did The Defence Say?

Earlier, Red Chillies Entertainment opposed the suit’s territorial jurisdiction. They argued that it should have been filed in Bombay, as Wankhede resides there and the company’s registered office is based in Mumbai. Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul stated that merely because content is posted online with a wide reach does not make Delhi the proper venue. He also argued that selecting a brief, out-of-context scene from a seven-part series does not constitute defamation.

Netflix, meanwhile, opposed the plea for an interim ban. They asserted that the threshold for proving defamation at this stage is very high and unlikely to be met in an interlocutory proceeding.

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Also Read: Sameer Wankhede Claims Aryan Khan’s Ba***ds Of Bollywood Convinces Audience ‘He Is A Chor And Lacks Integrity’ In Legal Battle With Red Chillies, Netflix

Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.