Netflix promoted the web series “Bad Boy Billionaires” as an “investigative docuseries” that “explores the greed, fraud and corruption that built up – and ultimately brought down – India’s most infamous tycoons”. Subrata Roy of Sahara alleged that the Netflix series was tarnishing his reputation.
Netflix failed to get any relief from the Supreme Court today for its new web series “Bad Boy Billionaires”, which has been put on ice by a court in Bihar. “We are not giving relief. You should not come here,” said Chief Justice Bobde, advising Netflix to go to the High Court if he wants to challenge the order of the Bihar court.
Netflix promoted the web series “Bad Boy Billionaires” as an “investigative documentary” that explores “greed, fraud and corruption – which was produced and eventually brought down – India’s most maligned tycoon”. This is said to be based on the rise and fall of billionaires including Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and other tycoons accused in various cases.
It was expected to air from today, but had to hit the road after Sahara’s Subrata Roy went to court accusing him of tarnishing his reputation. The court ordered an interim stay on the series, which allegedly uses Subrata Roy’s name.
Appearing for Netflix, senior advocate and former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the apex court that the court had earlier considered such petitions. This was opposed by Subrata Roy’s lawyer Vikas Singh.
The 68-year-old head of the Sahara group is accused of illegally recovering thousands of crores of rupees from investors. They have been asked to refund the principal amount of 24,000 crores and so far about 12,000 crores have been paid. Arrested in 2014, Subrata Roy was in Delhi jail until he got bail last year. He has denied any wrongdoing and the bond scheme has not yet been formally charged.
Mehul Choksi, a diamond trader wanted in India for the PNB scam, had also approached the Delhi High Court with a similar objection, but the court refused to consider his plea. His petition to pre-screen the documentary has also been rejected by the Delhi High Court.
Netflix lawyers have said that the web series contains the story of a diamond tycoon who went to London with his uncle, which was followed by the Punjab National Bank scam. Mr. Choksi has only one or two media interviews in the series and only two minutes are devoted to him.
There is another case against Netflix in Hyderabad on the same issue. Mr. Rohatgi told the top court that Netflix has filed a petition to move the case. The Chief Justice said that he would consider the petition.
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