Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered strict legal action against Netflix and the makers of the upcoming web series Ghooskhor Pandat, leading to the registration of an FIR in Lucknow over allegations that the content insults caste identity and threatens social harmony. Uttar Pradesh Police have said the case was filed following widespread objections to the series’ trailer, which recently went viral on social media.
Acting on the Chief Minister’s directions, Hazratganj Police registered the FIR against the web series for its broadcast on OTT and social media platforms. Police officials stated that the complaint relates to alleged attempts to hurt religious and caste sentiments and disturb public order. The case has been lodged at Hazratganj Police Station in Lucknow.
According to information shared by police, the FIR was registered by Hazratganj SHO Vikram Singh after the trailer drew sharp reactions online. Authorities noted that the content allegedly promotes caste-based humiliation, triggering public anger and raising concerns about a possible breach of peace. In view of the sensitivity surrounding the issue, the police have booked the director of the series along with other members of the production team. Officials said the move was aimed at preventing escalation of social tension and maintaining law and order.
The controversy erupted after the teaser of Ghooskhor Pandat was unveiled during Netflix’s ‘Next on Netflix’ event earlier this month. Objections focused on the title, which combines “ghooskhor" (bribe-taker) with “Pandat", a colloquial form of “Pandit". Several groups and individuals alleged that the phrasing amounts to casteist stereotyping and collective defamation of the Brahmin community.
The backlash quickly expanded beyond social media. Legal notices were issued to Netflix and the makers, protests were reported in cities including Bhopal, and multiple court petitions followed. A writ petition filed in the Delhi High Court seeks an immediate stay on the series’ release, arguing that the title and portrayal could disrupt social harmony and violate laws related to hate speech.
As per HT, petitioner Mahender Chaturvedi, assisted by Advocate Vineet Jindal, has urged the court to stop the streaming of Ghooskhor Pandat. The petitioner, an Acharya engaged in teaching Indian scriptures, claimed that the use of the term “Pandat" defames the Brahmin community. The plea states that the word historically symbolises scholarship, ethics and spiritual guidance, and alleges violations of Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution. References have also been made to IPC Section 153A and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Directed by Ritesh Shah and co-written by Shah along with filmmaker Neeraj Pandey, who is also presenting the project, Ghooskhor Pandat stars Manoj Bajpayee as Ajay Dikshit, a corrupt police officer known by the nickname “Pandat". The series is positioned as a thriller centred on corruption, power struggles and a larger conspiracy unfolding in Delhi. The cast includes Nushrratt Bharuccha, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi and Divya Dutta.
Supporters of the project have argued that “Pandat" is used as a character nickname within a fictional narrative and does not target any community. They have also pointed out that key creatives associated with the series, including Bajpayee and Pandey, come from Brahmin backgrounds.
Boycott calls against Netflix India have continued to trend online, with users questioning the platform’s content choices and raising concerns about caste representation in mainstream entertainment. Netflix India and the production team have not issued any official response to the FIR, court petitions or online criticism so far.
Earlier, speaking to PTI about the series, Manoj Bajpayee reflected on his connection to the setting, saying, “This story is set in a world I’ve spent many years of my life in. I did theatre there, I graduated from Delhi. I’ve always liked films set in Delhi, and I really enjoy working on them. I first saw Delhi as an outsider when I was 18 years old, and when I left, it was for Bandit Queen. Delhi’s lifestyle has always been very fascinating for me, especially portraying a police character in that environment. I enjoyed every day of working on this."
