Bombay HC Adjorns Hearing in Chhota Rajan’s Plea Against Netflix Series ‘Scoop’

The Bombay High Court on Friday deferred the hearing in the suit filed by gangster Chhota Rajan against makers of the Netflix series ‘Scoop’ alleging infringement of personality rights.

Vacation judge Justice SG Dige noted that since the series has already been released, there is no urgency in the matter. The makers of the show were granted time to respond to the plea, and the hearing got rescheduled to June 7.

Currently, Rajan is lodged in Tihar jail, who filed a suit alleging that in the trailer of the show, the makers have made reference to Rajan by using his name, image, purported voice, and other unrelated names associated with Rajan.

In the suit filed before the commercial division of the High Court, Rajan sought ₹1 as damages for the alleged infringement.

Justice Dige queried how the suit would fall under Commercial Courts Act since Rajan has sought only ₹1 as damages.

Furthermore, the Court said that if the suit qualifies as a commercial suit, then it will be sent for mediation as per the procedure under the law.

Rajan sought time to amend the suit to include grounds for satisfying the court that is indeed a commercial suit.

Senior Advocate Mihir Desai, who appeared for Rajan, told the Court that out of all the other persons depicted in the series, only Rajan’s real face and name have been used in the series.

Desai argued that, “I am shown as the one behind the murder. I am admitting I am convicted. My appeal is pending. Should I be portrayed like this in front of the whole world? Lakhs of people are going to watch it. It is going to create a lot of problems for me.”

Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam, who appeared for over-the-top platform Netflix, informed the court that all 6 episodes of the series have already been released.

Then, the Court asked what would be the position if Rajan is acquitted on appeal.

It eventually adjourned the case.