4 minutes of readingNew DelhiFebruary 5, 2026 04:43 pm IST
A writ petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the release and streaming of an upcoming Netflix film titled Ghooskhor Pandat, with the petitioner alleging that the proposed title and content are defamatory and offensive to the community.
The plea, filed through lawyer Vineet Jindal, seeks issuance of a court order directing authorities to intervene and restrict the broadcast of the film, along with other consequential reliefs.
The petition has been submitted by Mahender Chaturvedi, who describes himself as an Acharya dedicated to the study, teaching and propagation of the scriptures, philosophy and spiritual traditions of India.
He claims to feel directly aggrieved by the proposed film, alleging that it associates the word “Pandat” with corruption and bribery, thereby damaging the dignity and reputation of the Brahmin community, as well as his own vocation.
Har corrupt officer ko badalne ka ek mauka milta hai. From officer Ajay Dixit ki baari.
Watch Ghooskhor Pandat, coming soon, only on Netflix. #GhooskhorPandat#GhooskhorPandatOnNetflix#NextOnNetflixIndia pic.twitter.com/v1zcTcjeI0—Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) February 3, 2026
According to the statement, Netflix India advertised and promoted the film and distributed promotional material that allegedly links the term “Pandat” to immoral and corrupt conduct.
The petitioner maintains that the term historically means scholarship, ethical conduct, spiritual guidance and moral authority within Indian society and religious traditions. The plea states that such representation amounts to stereotyping and vilifying an entire religious and social community.
The petition further maintains that the impugned title and content violate fundamental rights guaranteed by Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution. It claims that the content discriminates against a particular religious and social group, infringes the right to dignity and reputation and degrades religious and cultural identity linked to faith, rituals and traditions.
While the right to freedom of expression is recognized under Article 19(1)(a), the plea states that the same is subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) and does not extend to hate speech, defamation or content that may disturb communal harmony and public order.
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The petitioner has also alleged that the Union Government has not put in place an effective regulatory mechanism to prevent misuse of creative freedom on OTT platforms. The plea claims that such regulatory loopholes allow the platforms to promote sensational or communal defamation for commercial purposes and amount to an abdication of the constitutional duty to protect fraternity and public order.
Through the petition, the petitioner sought directions to the Union of India and Netflix India to stop the release and streaming of the film. It also sought an interim order for publication of the impugned content while the case is pending, as well as directions to the Union Government to take appropriate action against Netflix India under applicable laws governing digital and OTT platforms.
The petitioner has further sought any other order which he deems fit in the interest of justice, equity and communal harmony.
The pleading asserts that the cause of action arose when the film was advertised and promoted and maintains that any harm caused by its release would be irreversible. On this basis, the petitioner has requested urgent judicial intervention before the release of the film.