Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer Sameer Wankhede, who arrested Aryan Khan in a drug-related investigation in 2021, has filed a defamation suit before the Delhi High Court against Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd., for “misleading and negative portrayal of anti-drug enforcement agencies” in Aryan’s show, The Ba***ds of Bollywood.
Sameer had also claimed that the show has been conceptualised and executed with the aim of maligning his reputation in a “colourable and prejudicial manner.”
Here is a lowdown of the case:
1. Who are the parties? What is the allegation ?
The plea has been filed against Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, and others and alleges that The Ba***ds of Bollywood has a “false, malicious and defamatory” portrayal of Sameer. “This series disseminates a misleading and negative portrayal of anti-drug enforcement agencies, thereby eroding public confidence in law enforcement institutions,” said the advocate representing him in court.
2. Agencies portrayed negatively?
The plea states that the series has misrepresented anti-drug enforcement agencies, harming public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
3. Obscene gesture in the show?
The plea also states that the series showed a character making a middle-finger gesture while reciting “Satyamev Jayate,” part of the National Emblem, allegedly violating the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
4. Other legal breaches ?
Sameer’s lawyers have argued that the obscene gesture contravened provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) by outraging national sentiment through obscene content.
5. What are the damages sought?
Sameer is seeking Rs 2 crore in damages, which he intends to donate to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for cancer patients.
The Ba***ds of Bollywood was released on Netflix on September 18. It earlier came under the radar for a vaping scene involving Ranbir Kapoor. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had issued notice to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Mumbai police commissioner to take action in the matter.