Mumbai: Sameer Wankhede Files Defamation Case Against Aryan Khan Over Netflix Series
Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer Sameer Wankhede has initiated a defamation lawsuit against Aryan Khan concerning the latter’s debut show, “Ba***ds of Bollywood,” which is available on Netflix. Wankhede alleges the series defamed him and stated that he believes “the truth should prevail,” although he refrained from commenting in detail on the ongoing matter.
This statement follows the dismissal of Wankhede’s defamation petition by the Delhi High Court. When questioned about the lawsuit related to Aryan Khan’s directorial venture, Wankhede responded, “I won’t comment on all this. I’ll just say one thing: Satyamev Jayate (Truth alone triumphs).”
Wankhede emphasized the importance of public awareness regarding drug consumption and various substances prevalent in Mumbai. He recently participated in a drug awareness camp in Northern and Eastern Mumbai, underlining the community’s need for education on these issues.
Court Dismissal of Wankhede’s Case
Wankhede filed the defamation suit against Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd, the production company owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan, in the Delhi High Court. He contended that a character in the series—who targets individuals in the Bollywood industry while adopting a hardline stance against drug users—was a defamatory portrayal of him. He sought damages amounting to Rs 2 crore, which he pledged to donate to cancer patients.
However, the Delhi High Court raised concerns regarding the maintainability of Wankhede’s claim, questioning why the suit was filed in Delhi instead of Mumbai. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav instructed Wankhede to amend his petition to address these legal issues.
Wankhede was notably the main official involved in Aryan Khan’s arrest during the high-profile Cordelia cruise drug case in 2021. He has faced allegations from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning an extortion attempt of Rs 25 crore from the Khan family in exchange for leniency for Aryan Khan, allegations which he has consistently denied.
