Former Narcotics Bureau officer Sameer Wankhede has filed a defamation suit against Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment over the recently released web series Ba**ds of Bollywood, directed by Aryan Khan. The suit alleges that the series contains a “false, malicious, and defamatory” portrayal of Wankhede, tarnishing his professional reputation.
The legal petition seeks relief in the form of a permanent injunction, a formal declaration, and Rs 2 crore in damages, which Wankhede has requested be donated to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital. The suit further claims that the series distorts the image of anti-drug enforcement agencies, potentially undermining public trust in law enforcement institutions.
A particular scene highlighted in the suit shows a character making an obscene gesture immediately after uttering the national slogan “Satyamev Jayate.” Wankhede contends this violates the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and constitutes a punishable offense under Indian law.
The legal action follows Wankhede’s high-profile tenure as the zonal director of NCB Mumbai, where he oversaw the 2021 cruise ship raid involving Aryan Khan, resulting in several arrests and the seizure of cocaine, charas, MDMA, and cash. The case had been filed under sections 8(c), 20(b), 27, and 35 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
This suit underscores the growing scrutiny of portrayals of public officials in digital media and highlights the legal obligations of streaming platforms and production houses to ensure accuracy and responsibility in content depicting real-life events.