Delhi High Court Rejects Sameer Wankhede’s Defamation Suit Against Netflix Series Ba**ds of Bollywood*

The Delhi High Court has rejected a defamation suit filed by IRS officer Sameer Wankhede against the Netflix series Ba**ds of Bollywood*, holding that it lacks territorial jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The court ruled that since the plaintiff, key defendants (Red Chillies Entertainment), and the alleged cause of action are all based in Mumbai, only the Mumbai courts are competent to adjudicate the dispute.

The Court returned the plaint, granting Wankhede liberty to approach the appropriate forum. Wankhede had sought damages and takedown of allegedly defamatory scenes claiming ridicule through a character resembling him.

The Court did not examine merits, confining its decision strictly to jurisdiction.

[Wankhede v. RCE]