Why Did Delhi HC Issues Notice to Shah Rukh Khan, Netflix Over Defamation

Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, along with his production house Red Chillies Entertainment and the streaming giant Netflix, is now under legal scrutiny. The Delhi High Court has issued formal notices to the parties involved following a defamation lawsuit filed by Sameer Wankhede, the former Mumbai zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

These notices coincided with Red Chillies co-owner Gauri Khan’s 55th birthday celebrations. Besides Red Chillies and Netflix, notices were also served to X, Google, Meta Platforms, RPSG Lifestyle Media Pvt Ltd, and John Doe. The court has instructed all respondents to submit their replies within a week.

The next hearing has been scheduled for May 30. The court also asked Wankhede to provide copies of the petition to the concerned parties. In his complaint, Wankhede alleged that the web series streaming on Netflix has damaged his personal and professional reputation. He has claimed damages of ₹2 crore from Red Chillies, Shah Rukh Khan, and Gauri Khan.

Wankhede also mentioned that he plans to donate the claimed amount to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital to support cancer patients. Senior advocate Sandeep Sethi represented Wankhede in court and highlighted that the officer’s family has been subjected to online harassment over the case.

The complaint notes that trolling posts have appeared across multiple media platforms targeting Wankhede, his wife, and his sister. While he seeks action against the web series, the court remarked that a ban cannot be imposed without valid and substantial reasons.

The web series in question, The Bads of Bollywood, is directed by Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan.