New Delhi: Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede, known for leading the 2021 Mumbai cruise drug bust that involved Aryan Khan, has filed a Rs 2 crore defamation suit in the Delhi High Court against the Netflix series titled “Ba*ds of Bollywood.”** The show, directed by Aryan Khan and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, has come under legal scrutiny for its alleged depiction of Wankhede and its portrayal of law enforcement.
Mr Wankhede, a 2008-batch officer, has sought a permanent and mandatory injunction against the release and circulation of the series, alleging that it contains “false, malicious and defamatory” content that targets his reputation and tarnishes the image of national institutions.
Content Accused of Insulting National Symbols and Agencies
The petition argues that the series not only attempts to damage Wankhede’s individual reputation but also insults national symbols and misrepresents anti-drug enforcement agencies.
A particularly contentious scene involves a character – said to resemble Wankhede – who recites “Satyamev Jayate” and then makes an obscene gesture. According to the petition, this act constitutes a serious offence under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, a law meant to safeguard the sanctity of national symbols and slogans.
Mr Wankhede claims the series is prejudicially conceptualised and executed, especially given that legal proceedings related to the cruise drug case are still pending before the Bombay High Court and a Special NDPS Court in Mumbai.
Pledged Damages to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital
IRS Wankhede has demanded Rs 2 crore in damages, which he has pledged to donate to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital to support the treatment of cancer patients. The petition names Netflix, Red Chillies Entertainment, and other associated parties as defendants.
Mr Wankhede alleges that the show’s content violates multiple Indian laws, including:
- The Information Technology Act
- Provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Defamation and obscenity laws
Context: Aryan Khan’s Past and the Cruise Drug Case
In October 2021, Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, was detained by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) during a raid on a cruise ship off the coast of Mumbai. Sameer Wankhede was the lead officer in that high-profile operation.
Aryan was later granted bail, and in May 2022, the NCB gave him a clean chit, stating that no evidence was found linking him to drug possession or consumption. Despite the closure, the case stirred massive media coverage and intense public scrutiny.
Legal Battle Likely to Test Freedom of Expression vs Defamation
The defamation suit could set a precedent regarding creative liberties in fictionalised storytelling that closely mirrors real-life events. While artistic expression is protected under Indian law, defamation and insult to national symbols are not, making this a legally complex case.
Legal experts anticipate that the court will need to weigh the balance between freedom of speech and expression (Article 19) and the right to reputation and national dignity.
