Former NCB officer and IRS official Sameer Wankhede has suffered a legal setback after the Delhi High Court dismissed his defamation suit related to the web series Bads of Bollywood, directed by Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan.
Wankhede had filed the suit against Shah Rukh Khan, Gauri Khan, Netflix India, and Red Chillies Entertainment, alleging that the series mocked him and damaged his reputation. The court dismissed the plea on Thursday, bringing relief to Aryan Khan and the other respondents.
What Was the Dispute About?
Sameer Wankhede had objected to a particular scene in Bads of Bollywood in which a Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer is shown interacting with a drug-addicted DJ. In the scene, the officer points to another young man and remarks that he is “not a star kid,” before taking the jokingly portrayed “star kid” away.
Wankhede claimed the scene was a direct reference to him and that it ridiculed his role in the 2021 cruise drugs case, in which Aryan Khan was arrested but later cleared of all drug-related charges.
Claims Made by Sameer Wankhede
In his petition, Wankhede argued that:
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The character in the series closely resembled him
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The scene harmed his professional image
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The portrayal amounted to defamation
He sought ₹2 crore in damages, stating that the amount would be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital. He also requested the court to direct the makers to remove the disputed content from the series.
Court’s Decision
After hearing the matter, the Delhi High Court dismissed the defamation suit, refusing to grant the relief sought by Sameer Wankhede. With this decision, the court effectively allowed the series to remain available without changes.
Background Context
The case gained attention due to its connection with the high-profile 2021 cruise drugs investigation, in which Sameer Wankhede, as an NCB officer, had arrested Aryan Khan. Aryan was later granted bail and subsequently given a clean chit, with no charges framed against him.
Outcome
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Sameer Wankhede: Legal setback as defamation plea dismissed
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Aryan Khan & makers of the series: Major relief from the court
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Series: No directive for removal or modification of content
