The Delhi High Court declined to interfere with the release of the upcoming web series ‘UP77’, while directing its producers to place safeguards on record, in a writ petition filed by Richa Dubey, wife of deceased gangster Vikas Dubey. The matter was heard by Justice Sachin Datta.
Richa Dubey through her counsel Ms. Azra Rehman approached the High Court seeking a restraint on the release and broadcast of the web series, contending that UP77 is allegedly based on her late husband’s life and impermissibly depicts her private and marital life without consent. The petition asserts that such portrayal violates her right to dignity and privacy, and adversely impacts her minor sons, who continue to suffer emotional, social and psychological consequences following their father’s death and have consciously remained away from public scrutiny.
When the matter was taken up today, counsel for respondent no. 2 and the producers entered appearance and opposed the plea. It was submitted on behalf of the producers that the web series is a pure work of fiction and is not based on the real-life story of any individual, including the petitioner’s husband. Attention was drawn to the disclaimer proposed to be displayed in the series clarifying its fictional nature.
The respondents further submitted that, to address the petitioner’s apprehensions, they are willing to issue an undertaking or press release expressly stating that the series is not inspired by or based on the life of Vikas Dubey. They also assured the Court that none of the promotional material for the series would make any reference to the petitioner’s husband by name.
Recording these submissions, the Court directed the producers to file an affidavit within two weeks affirming that the series is fictional and that no promotional content will reference the petitioner’s husband. The Court, however, observed that it was not inclined to restrain the release of the web series at this stage, in view of the undertakings offered.
The petition alleges that the depiction in the series is fictionalised, exaggerated and sensationalised for commercial gain, and apprehends that its release would permanently damage the petitioner’s dignity, expose her and her children to public ridicule, re-open past trauma, and potentially endanger their social standing and safety.
The matter has now been listed for further hearing on January 13, 2026.
Appearances:
For the Petitioner: Ms. Azra Rehman, Mr. Harinder Singh, Mr. Zakir Rehman, Ms. Laiba Muskan and Ms. Zahara Sheikh, Advs.
For the Respondents: Ms. Avshreya Pratap Singh Rudy, CGSC, Ms. Usha Jamnal, Ms. Prajna Pandita and Ms. Nyasa Sharma, Advs. for R-1.