The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued summons in a defamation case filed by IRS officer Sameer Wankhede against Netflix and several other parties. The case concerns
Wankhede's alleged defamatory depiction in the Netflix series The Ba***ds Of Bollywood. Representing Wankhede, Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi referred to the amended plaint and told the court, "In reference to the series, there are posts trolling me, my wife and my sister. Ex facie defamatory." In response, the court orally observed, "We appreciate that there is cause in your favour to approach this court but there is a process to be followed," before formally issuing summons to the defendants. During the hearing, Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav also issued notice on Wankhede's plea for interim relief and listed the matter for further hearing on October 30. Appearing for Netflix, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar opposed the plea, while Senior Advocate Shyel Trehan represented Red Chillies Entertainment. Earlier, the court had asked Wankhede to clarify how the case was maintainable in Delhi. Following this, he submitted an amended plaint explaining the reasons. He has demanded Rs 2 crore in damages, stating that the amount will be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for the treatment of cancer patients. The suit seeks a permanent and mandatory injunction against what he terms a 'false, malicious, and defamatory video' featured in the series.
