The Delhi High Court recently scrutinised the defamation suit filed by Sameer Wankhede, a former NCB zonal director, against actor Shah Rukh Khan, his wife Gauri Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment, and Netflix. The case revolves around the web series ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’, which Wankhede claims has tarnished his reputation.

During the hearing, Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav questioned the maintainability of the suit in Delhi, stating, "Your plaint is not maintainable here in Delhi. I am rejecting your plaint." He noted that the case would have been considered if Wankhede had demonstrated that the maximum damage occurred in Delhi.

Wankhede's lawyer, senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, argued that the series is accessible to viewers in Delhi, asserting, "So far as the web series is meant for Delhi, it is seen by viewers in Delhi and I am defamed here." The court allowed Sethi time to amend the plaint to clarify the basis for the suit's maintainability in Delhi.

Wankhede is seeking a permanent injunction, a declaration, and damages of Rs 2 crore, which he intends to donate to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital. He alleges that the series presents a misleading portrayal of anti-drug enforcement agencies, undermining public confidence in law enforcement.

The suit claims that the series features a character resembling Wankhede, which he argues is a deliberate attempt to defame him, especially as his case involving Aryan Khan is still pending in court. Wankhede's plea also highlights a scene where a character makes an obscene gesture, which he argues violates the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

The defendants in the suit include Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, X Corp (formerly Twitter), Google LLC, Meta Platforms, and others. The court has not yet set a date for the next hearing, which will be scheduled once the amended application is filed.