Subrata Roy from Sahara alleged that the Netfix series was smearing his reputation.
New Delhi:
Netflix failed to get any relief from the Supreme Court today for its new web series “Bad Boy Billionaires,” which was frozen by a court in Bihar. “We are not granting relief. He should not have come here,” Chief Justice Bobde said, advising Netflix to go to the High Court if it wanted to challenge the Bihar court order.
Netflix touted the web series “Bad Boy Billionaires” as an “investigative documentary series” that “explores the greed, fraud and corruption that amassed – and ultimately brought down – India’s most infamous tycoons.” It is said to be based on the rise and fall of billionaires, including Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and other tycoons charged in various cases.
It was scheduled to air starting today, but faced a snag after Subrata Roy from Sahara went to court, claiming he was smearing his reputation. The court ordered a provisional suspension of the series, which allegedly uses the name Subrata Roy.
Appearing on behalf of Netflix, lead attorney and former attorney general Mukul Rohatgi said the higher court argued that the court had examined petitions like this before. Subrata Roy’s attorney, Vikas Singh, objected.
The 68-year-old head of conglomerate Sahara is accused of illegally raising billions of rupees from investors. He has been asked to repay the principal amount of 24 billion rupees and has so far paid around 12 billion rupees. Arrested in 2014, Subrata Roy was in Delhi jail until he obtained bail last year. He has denied any wrongdoing and has yet to be formally charged for the bond scheme.
Diamond dealer Mehul Choksi, 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 statement. His request to pre-screen the documentary has also been rejected by the Delhi High Court.
Netflix lawyers have said the web series includes a story about a diamond magnate who traveled to London with his uncle, after which the National Bank of Punjab scam broke out. Only one or two media interviews with Mr. Choksi are in the series and only two minutes are devoted to him.
There is one more case against Netflix in Hyderabad on the same subject. Rohatgi told the superior court that Netflix filed a petition to transfer the case. The Chief Justice said he would consider the statement.
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