Red-Handed: 20 Criminal Cases That Shook India - A Book Review
Crime is a fascinating subject for many people, especially when it involves high-profile cases that have captured the attention of the nation. But how much do we really know about these cases, beyond what we see or hear in the media? How do they reflect the complexities and challenges of the Indian judicial system and criminal justice? And what can we learn from them about human nature, society, and morality?
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In this article, I will review a book that attempts to answer these questions by narrating the stories behind some of the most sensational criminal cases that have shaken India in the last few decades. The book is called Red-Handed: 20 Criminal Cases That Shook India, written by lawyers Souvik Bhadra and Pingal Khan, published by Rupa Publications in 2014. The book covers a range of cases, from murders to scams, from honour killings to terrorism, from serial killings to communal violence. The book examines the motives behind these crimes, as well as the processes and outcomes of their investigations, trials, and verdicts. The book also explores the role of media and public opinion in shaping these cases, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.
This book is relevant and interesting for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of some of the most notorious crimes that have occurred in India, as well as their legal, social, and political implications. It is also a gripping and engaging read that will keep you hooked till the end.
Summary of the book
The book consists of 20 chapters, each dedicated to a different criminal case that has made headlines in India. The authors provide a detailed account of each case, starting from its background, to its investigation, to its trial, to its verdict. They also provide their own analysis and commentary on each case, highlighting its significance and impact on various aspects of Indian society. Here are some of the cases that are covered in the book:
The Nithari killings
This is one of the most horrifying and shocking cases in Indian history, involving a series of kidnappings, rapes, murders, and cannibalism of children in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The main accused were Surinder Koli, a domestic help who worked for a businessman named Moninder Singh Pandher, and Pandher himself, who owned the house where the crimes took place. The case came to light in 2006, when the police discovered human remains in a drain near Pandher's house. The investigation revealed that Koli had lured several children, mostly from poor families, into the house, where he sexually assaulted and killed them, sometimes with Pandher's involvement. He also confessed to eating some parts of their bodies. The case sparked outrage and horror among the public, as well as questions about the police's negligence and incompetence in handling the case. The trial was conducted in a special court, where Koli was convicted and sentenced to death for 16 murders, while Pandher was acquitted of most charges, except for one murder, for which he was also given the death penalty. However, both of them have appealed their sentences in higher courts, and their executions have been stayed.
The Jessica Lal murder case
This is one of the most prominent and controversial cases in India, involving the murder of a model named Jessica Lal, who was shot dead at a party in New Delhi in 1999. The main accused was Manu Sharma, the son of a powerful politician, who allegedly killed Jessica after she refused to serve him a drink at the bar where she was working as a celebrity guest. The case attracted immense media attention and public outrage, as it exposed the nexus between money, power, and crime in India. The initial investigation and trial were marred by corruption, tampering of evidence, and intimidation of witnesses, leading to the acquittal of Manu Sharma and his co-accused in 2006. However, following a massive public campaign and media pressure, the Delhi High Court reopened the case and convicted Manu Sharma of murder in 2007. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2010. In 2020, he was released on parole after serving 14 years in jail.
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The Harshad Mehta scam
This is one of the biggest financial scams in Indian history, involving a stockbroker named Harshad Mehta, who manipulated the stock market and defrauded several banks of billions of rupees in 1992. Harshad Mehta used a complex scheme of issuing fake bank receipts and siphoning off funds from inter-bank transactions to inflate the prices of certain stocks and make huge profits. He also bribed bank officials and politicians to facilitate his operations. The scam was exposed by a journalist named Sucheta Dalal, who published an article in The Times of India in 1992, revealing Harshad Mehta's involvement in the fraud. The scam led to a crash in the stock market, as well as a loss of public confidence in the banking system and the government. Harshad Mehta was arrested and charged with several cases of fraud, cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. He died of a heart attack in 2001, while he was still under trial.
The Best Bakery case
This is one of the most tragic and contentious cases in India, involving a communal riot that took place in Vadodara, Gujarat, in 2002. The riot was part of a larger wave of violence that erupted across Gujarat after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims was set on fire by a Muslim mob in Godhra, killing 59 people. In retaliation, Hindu mobs attacked Muslim communities across the state, killing over 1,000 people and displacing thousands more. One of the worst incidents occurred at a bakery named Best Bakery, where 14 people, mostly Muslims, were burnt alive by a Hindu mob. The case became a symbol of the failure of justice and human rights in Gujarat, as the initial trial resulted in the acquittal of all 21 accused due to lack of evidence and witness testimonies. However, after an intervention by the Supreme Court and an appeal by Zaheera Sheikh, a key witness and survivor of the attack who had earlier turned hostile under pressure from the accused and politicians, the case was transferred to a fast-track court in Mumbai, where nine of the accused were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2006. The case also highlighted the role of media and civil society in pursuing justice and accountability for the victims of communal violence.
The tandoor murder case
This is one of the most gruesome and sensational cases in India, involving the murder of a woman named Naina Sahni, who was killed by her husband Sushil Sharma, a former youth Congress leader, in New Delhi in 1995. Sushil Sharma suspected Naina of having an affair with a fellow Congress worker, and shot her in a fit of rage. He then chopped her body into pieces and tried to dispose of them by burning them in a tandoor (a clay oven) at a restaurant owned by his friend. However, he was caught red-handed by the police, who were alerted by the smoke and smell coming from the restaurant. The case shocked the nation with its brutality and macabre details, as well as its political implications. Sushil Sharma was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 2003, but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the Supreme Court in 2013.
The Sanjay Dutt case
This is one of the most famous and controversial cases in India, involving the actor Sanjay Dutt, who was accused of possessing illegal weapons and having links with terrorists involved in the 1993 Mumbai blasts, which killed 257 people and injured over 700. Sanjay Dutt admitted that he had acquired an AK-56 rifle and a pistol from some people who later turned out to be associates of Dawood Ibrahim, the mastermind behind the blasts. However, he claimed that he did so for his own protection, as he had received threats from the underworld. He also denied any involvement or knowledge of the blasts. The case attracted huge media attention and public sympathy for Sanjay Dutt, who was seen as a victim of his own fame and circumstances. He was arrested and released several times during the course of the trial, which lasted for over 20 years. He was finally convicted under the Arms Act for possessing illegal weapons, but acquitted of more serious charges under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act. He was sentenced to six years in jail in 2007, but was granted bail by the Supreme Court in 2008. He served his remaining sentence from 2013 to 2016, with several furloughs and paroles in between.
Other cases in the book
Some of the other cases that are covered in the book are:
The Priyadarshini Mattoo rape and murder case, where a law student was brutally raped and killed by her senior in Delhi in 1996.
The Nitish Katara honour killing case, where a young man was killed by his girlfriend's relatives for belonging to a different caste in Uttar Pradesh in 2002.
The Arushi Talwar murder case, where a teenage girl and her domestic help were found dead in her home in Noida in 2008.
The Neeraj Grover murder case, where a TV executive was killed by an actress and her naval officer boyfriend in Mumbai in 2008.
The Ruchika Girhotra molestation case, where a teenage girl committed suicide after being molested by a senior police officer in Haryana in 1990.
Analysis of the book
The book is a well-researched and well-written account of some of the most intriguing and influential criminal cases that have rocked India. The authors have done a commendable job of presenting the facts and details of each case, as well as their own insights and opinions on them. The book has several strengths, as well as some weaknesses, which I will discuss below.
The strengths of the book
Some of the positive aspects of the book are:
It provides a comprehensive and chronological overview of each case, covering its background, investigation, trial, verdict, and aftermath.
It informs and educates the readers about the Indian judicial system and criminal justice, explaining the legal terms, procedures, and challenges involved in each case.
It highlights the role of media and public opinion in influencing the outcomes of some cases, showing how they can sometimes help or hinder the cause of justice.
It exposes the flaws and loopholes in the system that allow some criminals to escape or evade punishment, or some innocent people to suffer injustice.
It raises important questions about morality, ethics, human rights, social justice, and communal harmony that are relevant for contemporary India.
The weaknesses of the book
Some of the negative aspects of the book are:
It lacks depth and detail in some cases, especially those that are more recent or complex, leaving the readers with more questions than answers.
It presents a biased or sensationalized view of some cases, either glorifying or vilifying the characters involved, without providing a balanced or objective perspective.
It repeats some information and arguments across different cases, making the book redundant and tedious at times.
It does not provide any references or sources for the facts and opinions presented in the book, making it difficult to verify or challenge them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Red-Handed: 20 Criminal Cases That Shook India is a book that offers a captivating and informative glimpse into some of the most notorious and influential crimes that have occurred in India. The book narrates the stories behind these cases, as well as their legal, social, and political implications. The book also explores the role of media and public opinion in shaping these cases, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. The book has its strengths and weaknesses, but overall, it is a worthwhile read for anyone who is interested in crime, law, and justice in India.
I personally enjoyed reading this book, as it gave me a deeper understanding of some of the cases that I had only heard about in the news. I also learned a lot about the Indian judicial system and criminal justice, as well as the challenges and opportunities that they face. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about these cases, or who likes to read about crime and mystery.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the book and their answers:
Where can I buy or download this book?
You can buy this book online from various platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, or Rupa Publications. You can also download a PDF version of this book from here.
Who are the authors of this book?
The authors of this book are Souvik Bhadra and Pingal Khan, who are both lawyers by profession. They have been practicing law for over 10 years, and have handled several criminal cases in different courts. They have also written articles and blogs on various legal issues and topics.
How accurate and reliable is this book?
This book is based on the authors' research and analysis of various sources, such as court judgments, media reports, books, documentaries, interviews, etc. However, the book does not claim to be an authoritative or definitive account of these cases, nor does it provide any legal advice or opinion. The book is meant to be an informative and engaging read for the general public, and not a substitute for professional or expert guidance.
What are some other books that are similar to this book?
If you liked this book, you might also like some other books that deal with crime and law in India, such as:
The Death Sentence: Stories of Death Row Prisoners in India, by Sunetra Choudhury
The Anatomy of Hate, by Revati Laul
The Arushi Files: The Truth Behind a Murder That Shook a Nation, by Avirook Sen
The Nanavati Case: The Murder That Shook India, by Bachi Karkaria
The Trial of Bhagat Singh: Politics of Justice, by A.G. Noorani
What are some other ways to learn more about these cases?
Besides reading books, you can also watch some documentaries, movies, web series, podcasts, etc., that are based on or inspired by these cases. Some examples are:
The Tandoor Murder: The Naina Sahni Case, a documentary by NDTV 24x7
No One Killed Jessica, a movie starring Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan
Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, a web series by SonyLIV
Trial by Fire: The Best Bakery Case, a podcast by BBC World Service
Sadak 2, a movie starring Sanjay Dutt and Alia Bhatt
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