Delhi High Court : Declines Jurisdiction in Sameer Wankhede Defamation Suit

Delhi High Court : on Thursday declined to hear a defamation lawsuit filed by Indian Revenue Service officer Sameer Wankhede against Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan’s production company, Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd, and streaming platform Netflix, citing lack of territorial jurisdiction. The court returned the plaint, allowing the petitioner to approach a court deemed competent to hear the matter.

Court’s Ruling on Jurisdiction

A single-judge Bench led by Justice Purushaindra Kaurav held that the Delhi High Court was not the appropriate forum to adjudicate the dispute. In a brief order, the court stated that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit and therefore returned the filing to the plaintiff for presentation before the correct court. The ruling did not address the merits of the allegations raised in the case.

Background of the Legal Dispute

Sameer Wankhede, an IRS officer, had approached the Delhi High Court alleging that he was defamed through his purported portrayal in the web series titled The Ba**ds of Bollywood. The series, streamed on Netflix and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, was alleged to contain content that he claimed was inspired by real-life events linked to him and portrayed him in a damaging light.

Allegations of Reputational Harm

In his plea, Wankhede argued that the series carried malicious and defamatory material that had caused serious harm to his reputation, dignity, and standing in society. He further claimed that the portrayal had adversely affected his family and personal life, asserting that the damage went beyond professional criticism and entered the realm of personal vilification.

Concerns Over Law Enforcement Image

The suit also raised concerns about the depiction of anti-drug enforcement agencies. Wankhede contended that the series projected such agencies in a negative manner, potentially eroding public confidence in law enforcement institutions. According to the plea, the alleged portrayal risked undermining trust in agencies tasked with combating narcotics-related crimes.

Reliefs Sought Against Multiple Defendants

The IRS officer sought both permanent and mandatory injunctions against a wide array of defendants. These included Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, X Corp (formerly Twitter), Google LLC, Meta Platforms, and RPG Lifestyle Media Private Limited, among others. In addition to injunctive relief, Wankhede also claimed monetary damages for the alleged harm caused.

Objection to Use of National Slogan

One of the specific objections raised in the suit related to a scene in the web series where a character is shown uttering “Satyamev Jayate,” followed by what Wankhede described as an obscene gesture. He argued that this amounted to an insult to the national motto, which forms part of India’s national emblem, and claimed that such depiction constituted an offence under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

Reference to Ongoing Proceedings

Wankhede also pointed out that matters connected to him, including the case involving Aryan Khan, remain pending before the Bombay High Court and a special NDPS court in Mumbai. He alleged that the web series selectively presented events in a biased manner despite the issues still being under judicial consideration.

Claim for Damages and Court Proceedings

As part of the relief sought, Wankhede demanded damages amounting to Rs 2 crore. He stated that any compensation awarded would be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for the treatment of cancer patients. The Delhi High Court had earlier heard detailed arguments from both sides and had reserved its decision on December 2, 2025, before ultimately ruling on the question of jurisdiction.