Former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede’s defamation case against Aryan Khan’s web series hits a legal roadblock as Delhi High Court dismisses the petition.
Published: September 28, 2025 12:20 PM IST
Aryan Khan’s debut web series, The Bads of Bollywood, has been making waves online, but not all attention has been positive. Former Narcotics Control Bureau officer Sameer Wankhede raised objections against the show, claiming that a character in the series portrayed him in a derogatory manner. In response, Wankhede filed a defamation case against the show in the Delhi High Court, demanding Rs 2 crore in damages, which he pledged to donate to cancer patients.
Why did the court dismiss the petition?
During the hearing, the Delhi High Court dismissed Wankhede’s petition, stating that the case was not maintainable in Delhi. Justice Purshendra Kumar Kaurav advised Wankhede to amend his petition to include instances where he had allegedly been defamed in multiple locations. The court noted that only if Wankhede could demonstrate that his reputation was tarnished across several jurisdictions would the case have a chance to move forward.
What did Sameer Wankhede say?
Reacting to the court’s decision, Wankhede chose to remain brief. He did not comment extensively on the dismissal and summed up his response in two words: “Satyamev Jayate.”
How does this revive old controversies?
The dispute between Wankhede and Aryan Khan brings back memories of previous clashes between Bollywood and law enforcement agencies. Wankhede alleged that the series depicted a character with a tough stance against drug use but selectively targeted individuals linked to the film industry. He claimed that such portrayals were false, malicious, and damaging to his personal and professional image.
What about the compensation demand?
In his petition against Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd, owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan, Wankhede sought Rs 2 crore in damages. He had promised that the compensation, if awarded, would go to cancer patients. However, with the court dismissing the petition, this demand is currently on hold until further legal amendments.
What’s next?
The Delhi High Court’s suggestion to amend the petition leaves room for Wankhede to potentially refile with stronger evidence demonstrating wider defamation. Until then, the controversy continues to make headlines, keeping both the web series and Wankhede in the public eye.
Highlights:
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Delhi High Court dismisses Sameer Wankhede’s defamation case against The Bads of Bollywood.
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Wankhede alleged that a character in the web series tarnished his image, demanding Rs 2 crore in damages.
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The court advised amending the petition to include defamation across multiple jurisdictions for it to proceed.
