Delhi High Court Holds Reliance Entertainment And Directors Guilty Of Contempt In ₹60 Crore Dispute With T Series

The bench of Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora passed the order after examining the record and noting that the defendants had not fully complied with earlier directions of the Court despite being granted multiple opportunities. The Court consequently directed Reliance Entertainment to deposit the outstanding amount along with interest at the rate of 12.5 percent within two weeks. It further warned that if the amount is not deposited within the stipulated period, the concerned directors could face four weeks of imprisonment.

“….this Court finds the Defendant to be guilty of wilful disobedience of the directions issued by the Court on 19.12.2023 with respect to deposit of sum of Rs. 7.42 crores and Rs. 2.32 crores within a period of two [2] weeks i.e. w.e.f. 22.01.2024”, the Court observed.

The dispute arose from a loan agreement dated May 19, 2021 under which T Series had advanced funds to Reliance Entertainment for film and web series projects. T Series later approached the High Court seeking recovery of ₹60.23 crore, alleging that the defendant company had defaulted on its repayment obligations.

During the course of proceedings, the Court had earlier directed Reliance Entertainment to deposit ₹7.42 crore that was receivable from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. The Court had also instructed the company to account for the revenues generated from the release of two projects, namely the film “Crakk” and the web series “Indian Police Force”.

T Series alleged that despite these clear directions, Reliance Entertainment went ahead with the release of the projects but failed to deposit the full amount as ordered by the Court. According to the plaintiff, the company had only made partial payments and had not complied with the judicial directions in their entirety.

One of the issues raised by Reliance Entertainment during the proceedings concerned its role in the production of the web series “Indian Police Force”. The company argued that the series had been commissioned by Amazon Seller Services Pvt. Ltd. to Rohit Shetty Pictures LLP for providing line production services. On this basis, it contended that all rights in the web series were owned by Amazon and that Reliance Entertainment was not the producer or co producer of the project.

The Court, however, did not accept this argument and referred to material placed on record indicating that the name of Reliance Entertainment appeared in the credits of the web series. The Court observed that the defendant had not denied this fact.

“A screenshot of the credit has been placed on record. The Defendant has not denied the aforesaid contention of the Plaintiff with respect to display of its name in the credits of the said web series…….. In the considered opinion of this Court, the Defendant’s stand that it has not produced or co-produced the said web-series is prima facie negated by the said display of the Defendant’s name in the credits of the said web series. No document/agreement has been filed by the Defendant to substantiate its plea that it was merely line producer in this web series”, the Court observed.

The Court also took note of the company’s conduct in complying with previous directions. It observed that Reliance Entertainment had repeatedly delayed compliance and had only acted after the Court issued further reminders.

The bench pointed out that the defendant complied with certain directions only after further orders were passed by the Court on September 17, 2025 and September 19, 2025. The required affidavit was eventually filed on October 21, 2025.

“This conduct of the Defendant shows its consistent manner of not complying with the directions of this Court in a timely manner without being directed again and again; and thus, shows wilful disregard for legal process”, the Court held.

After reviewing the material on record, the Court concluded that Reliance Entertainment and its directors had not fully complied with earlier orders dated November 23, 2023 and December 19, 2023. It noted that only partial payment had been made and that the remaining amount had not been deposited despite clear directions.

The Court held that such conduct amounted to non-compliance with its orders and therefore warranted action under its contempt jurisdiction.

Accordingly, the Court directed the defendants to deposit the outstanding amount along with interest at 12.5 percent within two weeks. The Court also directed the concerned directors to furnish bail bonds of ₹1 lakh each before the Joint Registrar.

While keeping the sentence suspended for two weeks to allow the defendants to comply with the order, the Court made it clear that failure to deposit the amount within the stipulated period could lead to four weeks of imprisonment for the directors concerned.

The bench further clarified that if the defendant company does not make the required deposit within the prescribed time, T Series would have a continuing cause of action to initiate fresh contempt proceedings against the company and its directors.

“It is clarified that until the Defendant has not made this deposit as directed hereinabove, the Plaintiff will have a continuing cause of action against the Defendant and its Directors for maintaining a fresh contempt petition”, the order read to this regard.

The matter was listed for further hearing on 27.03.2026.

Case Title: Super Cassettes Industries Private Limited v. Reliance Entertainment Studios Private Limited

Bench: Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora

Date of Judgement: 10.03.2026