News agency ANI has sued Netflix Inc and producers of an Indian series about a plane hijack, asking for four episodes to be taken down as they used ANI content without permission, ANI's lawyer told Reuters on Monday.
The series, called "IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack" - a fictionalised version of the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814 from Kathmandu - has been embroiled in controversy since its release last month.
Social media users and members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party have criticised the show for what they said was an incorrect portrayal of the hijackers as Hindus with Hindu names when they were Muslims.
Netflix added new disclaimers to the six-episode show last week after its officials were summoned by the information and broadcasting ministry. It also said the code names used in the series reflected those used during the actual event.
"They have used copyright archival footage of ANI without licence, they have also used the (ANI) trademark," Sidhant Kumar, counsel for ANI, said.
"Since the series has come into such criticism, our trademark and brandname are being tarnished," Mr Kumar said, adding that ANI wants Netflix to take down four episodes where its content has been used.
The Delhi High Court had agreed to hear the case and sought the response of Netflix, he said.
There was no immediate response from Netflix to a request for comment from Reuters, which has a minority stake in ANI.
India blames Pakistan and Pakistan-based terrorist groups for the December 1999 hijack, which was resolved after New Delhi freed three terrorists, including Masood Azhar, the head of one such group.
Featured Video Of The Day
Pic: The One With Vijay Varma And "GOATS" Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah And Manoj Pahwa Sector 36 Trailer: Deepak Dobriyal And Vikrant Massey Locked In A Deadly Cat-And-Mouse Chase "If You Don't Like India...": Delhi High Court's Tough Talk For Wikipedia "Lower Your Pitch": Chief Justice Rebukes Lawyer, He Apologises "If This Document Is Missing...": Top Court's Big Question In Kolkata Case No AAP-Congress Alliance? Haryana AAP Chief Says Party Will Contest All Seats Financial Times Rankings 2024: 21 Indian Business Schools In Top 100 Viral Now: Vlogger's Scathing Review Of This Michelin Starred Restaurant Divides Social Media French Retail Giant Carrefour To Return To India By June 2025 Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.