Delhi High Court Declines Jurisdiction in Sameer Wankhede's Defamation Case Against SRK's Web Series
The Delhi High Court on Thursday declined to entertain a defamation petition filed by former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Wankhede against the Shah Rukh Khan-backed web series The Ba***ds of Bollywood. The court cited territorial jurisdiction limitations as the primary reason for not taking up the matter, clarifying that Wankhede remains free to approach the appropriate legal forum to pursue his complaint.
Court's Jurisdictional Observations
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, while hearing the plea against Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd, observed that the case could not be taken up in Delhi due to these jurisdictional constraints. Wankhede had alleged that certain scenes in the controversial web series were insulting and had caused significant damage to his professional reputation and personal standing.
The court's decision specifically noted that it lacked the proper territorial authority to adjudicate the matter, rather than making any ruling on the merits of the defamation claims themselves. This technical procedural aspect leaves the door open for Wankhede to refile his petition in a court with appropriate jurisdiction.
Wankhede's Determined Response
Responding to media reports that characterized the court's decision as a setback, Wankhede asserted that the legal battle is far from over. In an exclusive statement to Hindustan Times, the former IRS officer emphasized his continued determination to seek justice through proper legal channels.
"It has not been dismissed. I have been asked to approach a proper forum. Let the order be uploaded, then I will take a call on when to do it. This has not demotivated me at all, it's just an order to approach the appropriate court. I will do the needful and keep fighting for justice," Wankhede stated firmly.
Background of the Controversy
The defamation case stems from Wankhede's allegations that The Ba***ds of Bollywood contains scenes that maliciously target his character and professional conduct. The web series, produced by Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment, has been at the center of multiple controversies since its release, with Wankhede's complaint representing one of the most significant legal challenges to its content.
Wankhede, who gained national attention during his tenure with the NCB, has maintained that the series presents a distorted version of events that unfairly damages his reputation. His legal team had argued that the content crossed the line from artistic expression into defamatory territory, warranting judicial intervention and potential remedies for the harm caused.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
The Delhi High Court's decision highlights the complex jurisdictional issues that can arise in defamation cases involving digital content produced by entities with operations spanning multiple states. While the court declined to exercise jurisdiction in this instance, it explicitly preserved Wankhede's right to pursue his complaint through alternative legal avenues.
Legal experts suggest that Wankhede's next logical step would be to identify and approach a court that possesses proper territorial jurisdiction over the matter, potentially in a location where the web series was produced, distributed, or where the alleged harm to his reputation occurred. The technical nature of the court's ruling means the substantive issues of the case remain unresolved and subject to future litigation.
Wankhede's unwavering commitment to continuing his legal fight demonstrates the persistent nature of reputation-related litigation in India's entertainment and legal landscapes. His case joins a growing number of instances where public figures are turning to courts to address perceived defamation in digital content, testing the boundaries between creative freedom and personal reputation protection.
