The Delhi High Court has allowed former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer Sameer Wankhede to transfer his defamation case against filmmaker Aryan Khan and Red Chillies Entertainment to a Mumbai court.

Indian media reported that the court ruled it lacked territorial jurisdiction to hear the matter, granting Wankhede permission to approach the relevant court in Mumbai.

In its order, the court directed both parties to appear before the Mumbai City Civil and Sessions Court on February 12.

The case relates to the Netflix web series The Bads of Bollywood, directed by Aryan Khan and produced by Shah Rukh Khan’s production house, Red Chillies Entertainment.

Wankhede has claimed that a character shown in the first episode closely resembles him and could harm his reputation.

According to Wankhede, the character’s appearance, behaviour, manner of speaking and body language are similar to his own. He also said media reports directly linked the character to him, particularly in the context of the Aryan Khan drug case.

He had requested the court to remove or restrict the disputed scenes, arguing that the portrayal damaged his dignity, honour and professional standing.

The court was informed that Wankhede is a resident of Mumbai and that Red Chillies Entertainment’s registered office is also located in Mumbai. Therefore, the case should have been filed there in the first place.

The respondents maintained that the web series is a fictional and satirical work and is not based on any real individual.

It may be recalled that in 2021, Wankhede, as NCB zonal director, had arrested Aryan Khan in a drug-related case. Khan was later cleared of the charges.

Following the controversy, the series has drawn significant public and legal attention. The matter will now proceed before the Mumbai court.