[lighting stove]
[crushing ginger]
[pensive music playing]
[glass breaking]
'Jaipur, Rajasthan'
[typing]
The court feels
that this was not an open-and-shut murder case.
It was a different case of its kind.
But with the kind of sensibility and patience
Inspector Viren Pratap
solved this complicated case,
this court praises him for that.
Inspector Viren Pratap's promptness
and out-of-the-box investigation,
the truth of the case
came out.
The court sympathises with the victim's family.
They waited a long time for justice.
But the evidence provided to the court,
based on that,
this court passes the judgement in favour of the appellant.
[bangs hammer]
[indistinct chatter]
[solemn music playing]
Viren sir.
Finally, the verdict is out after 10 years.
But I don't know why I feel
that this case is not as straightforward as it seems.
Are you questioning my investigation?
No, sir.
I am sorry.
- I... - Look, the case is closed.
The judgement has been announced.
The investigation of this case is a case study in itself.
It will be taught to the students in the future.
But personally speaking,
I am not happy to solve this case.
Why, sir?
It was 10 years ago
when I received this case.
[humming]
[doorbell rings]
'Vinita, the neighbours have gathered outside.'
'The smashed eggplant cooked by you smells delicious. Wow.'
'I made potato curry and bread today.'
You always exaggerate everything.
I brought mint leaves for you.
It's good that you brought it.
[hopeful music playing]
Umm. I love it.
After food, if I could get...
If you get a glass of cold buttermilk after food,
the food tastes doubly good.
- Right. - Here you go.
[laughing]
Wow. This is called peace.
[pensive music playing]
[humming]
- Alok. - Hmm.
- How far is the hotel from here? - Just five minutes more.
Okay.
[humming]
[car boot closing]
Hello. Welcome, sir.
Our room is booked.
- Okay. What's the name? - Alok Nanda.
Have a seat, ma'am.
- What is the name again? - Alok Nanda.
Sir, what's is ma'am's name?
Vinita Nanda.
Gautam, 201 for sir.
[pensive music playing]
[siren wailing]
I wish I didn't get the case.
Sir, I can't understand.
You should feel proud.
I have been regularly following this case.
It's such a complicated crime scene.
So many diverse motives.
It was not easy to crack this case.
- But you did it. - I had to.
It was my job.
After 20 days of the incident,
this case was handed over to me for re-investigation.
[pensive music playing]
Sir, can I
come in?
Sir, the murder case file of Vinita Nanda
has come from the commissioner's office.
It's fashion these days.
No matter how much the police investigates
but they send it to the crime branch for re-investigation.
Sir, there is an interesting twist in this case.
The insurance company appealed for reinvestigation,
not the victim's family or relatives.
The company's name is ACKT.
The CEO of the company, Rishi Jain, wants to meet you.
Okay. Send him in.
I know, sir. All of you must be thinking
that when it has already been proven that Vinita Nanda was killed in the
police investigation, then why are you appealing?
Of course. To save the money of the insurance company.
It's not like that, sir.
There is a procedure to pass the claim.
Sir, this was not a natural death.
The story, post-mortem, media trials,
everything happened in this case.
We have to look at all the aspects before releasing the claim amount.
Sir, you must have read the FIR.
Sir, the FIR was filed by Inspector Satish Sharma.
[siren wailing]
[car door closes]
Sir.
- Where is the crime scene? - Second floor.
Sir, I am the manager, Mohan Mishra.
Sir, trust me. I am not at fault.
Please don't get me involved in this case.
Please understand. My daughter is getting married next week.
- Sir. - Shut up. Take him away.
- Sir, but... - Take him away.
Please move, everyone.
Move back, everyone.
Drive everyone out of here.
Come on. Get out of here.
Sir, look at the mark on her neck.
The victim was choked with a wire to death.
She must have died soon because her windpipe was choked.
Sir, that means
Alok took his wife to the hotel with an excuse.
He killed her there.
And then...
[pensive music playing]
Sir, a gunshot. Point blank range. 3 mm bullet, sir.
[pensive music playing]
- Rahul. - Yes, sir.
There is only one way to enter and exit this room. This door.
The manager opened it with his key and discovered the bodies.
That means only Alok Nanda and Vinita Nanda were in the room.
After seeing this, I feel Alok Nanda first killed his wife.
Then he killed himself.
Sir, I feel something else happened here.
Sir, I feel someone else was there in this
room with Alok Nanda and Vinita Nanda.
Who could it be?
What could be his motive?
Sir, it's difficult to say that right now.
But, sir, once the post-mortem report comes...
Do this. Call the forensic people
and get this room checked properly.
I am sure something went wrong here.
Yes. That manager.
He seemed hassled.
Let's grill him as well.
Did you inform the victim's family?
Yes, sir. They are going to be here soon.
[siren wailing]
[ambulance door opens]
- Mom! - Hey.
Mom!
[solemn music playing]
Sir, I didn't do anything.
It's my daughter's wedding next week...
You will go to jail before that, Mr. Mishra.
It will be better for you if you tell us
the truth about what happened yesterday.
Sir, Mr. and Mrs. Nanda checked in at 11 am yesterday.
Mr. Nanda said that they shouldn't be disturbed.
The do-no-disturb board was hanging outside the room.
Did you check the CCTV in the corridor?
Yes, sir. Mr. Mishra is right.
The waiter took the order after 15 minutes after check-in.
He came out in two minutes.
Both husband and wife were fine till then.
But after half an hour, we heard the gunshot.
The room window was also packed.
So, no one could have come inside from outside.
No one entered from the main door.
Sir, there is one more thing.
When both of them were standing at the reception,
they were looking at each other with
love as if they were recently married.
Sir, I don't know
what the old man thought after going inside that he shot his wife
and he died as well.
Uncle Brijesh, dad's elder brother.
He is responsible for all this.
He was very dominating.
He always treated dad like a servant.
But after he got married,
dad went away from him with mom's support.
That's why he hated mom.
Did both brothers and families meet?
Only on occasions.
Yes. Whenever uncle
met him, he blamed dad for his failure and loneliness.
Where does he stay?
The hotel mom and dad were staying in,
he has a place next to that.
With his family?
He did not have good terms with his family.
In fact, he was not on good terms with anyone.
When his son, Robin,
was settled in the US, he took his mom with him.
He lived alone.
And he became so bitter within
that whenever he saw my mom and dad happy,
he used to be furious.
Okay. You may leave.
Okay.
Sir, I am sure this is a murder.
How was his relationship with his sons?
I can't believe you, sir.
You are doubting his own sons.
Vishal, my husband, is a good man, sir.
He had a good bond with his parents.
They used to love each other a lot, sir.
What about your brother-in-law, Amrut?
Well,
Amrut had differences with my in-laws.
He is a little spoilt.
He is very different from his brother.
He wasted a lot of his family's money on gambling.
He stopped his studies in the middle.
In fact, my father-in-law
was worried about his future a lot.
Did Amrut fight with his parents?
Quite often, sir.
Uh, sir,
please don't tell Vishal about this.
But I suspect Amrut.
Whatever happened was wrong.
But don't turn my brother's death into a spectacle.
Vishal is a sorted boy.
Yes, Amrut is insolent. He used to fight with his parents.
But he can't do this to his parents.
And you?
I mean, did you and your brother fight a lot?
Yes, in our childhood.
But as soon as Alok started becoming sensible,
he started respecting me. He used to listen to me.
But after Vinita came, my brother changed.
He started to feel that I dominated him.
That I turned him into a slave.
Alok didn't understand
that he turned into his wife's pet.
Alok died today.
But he became distant from me years ago.
Did you speak to your brother rarely in so many years?
But coincidentally,
you called him two days before he died.
He called me.
I saw his missed call. So, I called him back.
What did he tell you?
Nothing much.
He apologised for his mistakes.
You spoke to him for 15 minutes.
Yes. We discussed that we were inseparable before.
But for the past few years,
we were away from each other.
How do we believe you?
Don't believe me.
But I am telling the truth.
Vinita used to make Alok dance to her tunes.
Alok used to consider her akin to a goddess.
But she was a witch.
Maybe Vinita was exposed
in front of him.
That's why he took such a drastic step.
Do you have a gun?
Yes. I mean, I had one.
But I surrendered it a few months ago.
You can go for now.
But we will summon you again if required.
Don't leave the city without informing us.
Sir, Alok and Vinita's sons are accusing their uncle.
And according to their uncle, Alok was fed up with his wife.
He took this step out of frustration.
As per the prima facie evidence, we thought
Alok killed his wife. And then, he committed suicide.
Now, if...
Sir, the postmortem report has arrived.
The postmortem and forensic reports also indicate
that Alok's fingerprints were found on the gun.
They didn't find any other person's fingerprints in the hotel room.
But, sir, fingerprints can be erased.
Maybe Alok's fingerprints were placed on the gun.
Let's not elaborate this matter.
Because the forensic and postmortem reports have made things clear.
There are no doubts.
It is simple. Alok murdered Vinita.
And then, he committed suicide.
[tense music]
I think there is no need to investigate this case further.
The case is solved.
We can file the closure report.
Rishi, the case has been solved.
Alok Nanda strangulated his wife, Vinita Nanda to death.
And then, he committed suicide.
You are underestimating the police for no reason.
Sir, it's not like that.
Our company strongly suspects
there was a foul play in this case.
Listen, Rishi.
We need the court's orders to reopen the case.
Sir, we have orders.
Here's the copy of the orders.
Rishi...
You have filed a case
against the victim's family and the first investigating officer.
I am sorry, sir. It's a part of the procedure.
Look, the incident took place 20 days ago.
- But we will still try our best. - Thank you, sir.
[car door opens and closes]
[suspenseful music]
- Team! - Yes, sir!
Watch the video carefully.
[suspenseful music]
[suspenseful music continues]
Sudha, take Vinita's position.
- Bagdad. - Sir.
Take Alok's position.
Perfect.
- Varun. - Sir.
Only two people were present in the room.
After the waiter left, no one entered the room through the door.
And there is no other way to enter the room except through the door.
As for the balcony,
it is completely packed.
No one tampered with the balcony.
It is an open and shut case, sir.
Varun, we are reinvestigating the case.
So, let's start afresh.
- Sir. - What was the motive of the murder?
Depression.
Alok's brother, Brijesh said that Alok was fed up with his wife.
Don't forget one thing.
Vinita and Alok were married for 35 years.
And their son and daughter-in-law said they shared a great bond.
As per the video,
here... The broken cup was here.
And... Here.
There's a mark of the cup here.
Right, sir.
The waiter told us he brought one cup of tea.
- Team! - Sir.
Jennifer suspects her Amrut committed the crime.
Sir, I have already summoned Amrut.
Good.
Sir, I didn't know dad had bought a policy of 6 million in mom's name.
And what about your elder brother, Vishal?
I am sure he knew it.
No, sir. He didn't know about it, either.
We found out about it after our parents died.
You claimed the policy right away.
We know you visit the insurance company every other day.
Sir... Sir, Vishal suffered a huge loss in his business.
He needs money. So...
And what about you?
We know you are addicted to gambling and drugs.
You don't have a job. Don't you need the money?
Sir, who doesn't need money?
But money is not more important than parents, right?
The forensic report says your dad strangulated your mom.
Did they have differences? Were there any problems or issues?
Sir, mom always supported dad.
[sniffs]
In fact, Uncle Brijesh never treated my dad as his younger brother.
He treated him like a servant.
My mom made him the man.
We always saw them happy together.
Okay. Did you notice any changes
in your dad's nature recently?
Was there a change in his behaviour?
Yes, sir. My dad's behaviour had changed.
He used to remain angry all the time.
Especially with me.
But why would he do that to mom?
Mom was the life of the house.
She would look after everyone.
She would think about others over herself.
He was upset with me. What did my mom do to him?
[evil music]
Vishal, come on!
You owe 2.5 million rupees to someone.
And the claim amount is 6 million rupees.
If the insurance company accepts the claim,
your problems will be solved in one go. Right?
Sir, I told you I had no idea about mom's policy.
Did your parents have any issues?
I am sure you don't know that, either.
Sir, our parents were a perfect couple to us.
I didn't realise when their relationship go sour
and dad killed mom.
Vishal, did you ever feel your dad was stressed?
Was he suffering from an illness?
I have been stressed because of my business for the past few years.
Maybe I didn't notice.
Did he ever get angry with you?
No. Never.
He would never get angry with me or mom.
But I must tell you. He was stressed because of Amrut's actions.
He would reprimand him often.
Sometimes, he would even hit him.
But why would he vent Amrut's anger on mom?
Both of them are giving the same statement.
Isn't there only one truth, sir?
Right. Only a lie has different versions.
Well...
Let me hear your wife, Jennifer's version. I mean,
let's hear the truth from her.
You took Amrut's name
because you wanted the entire 6 million rupees.
What are you saying?
I mean, insurance policy...
Yes, yes. I know you had no idea about it.
All of you are saying it in the loop.
As if you memorised it.
Jennifer, tell me honestly.
Did it never occur to you
that if Amrut turned out to be the culprit,
you would be profited.
You and your husband would get all the money.
Sir, dealing with crime has made you quite suspicious.
What is this theory?
I know Amrut has weaknesses.
But he is my brother-in-law.
I care for him.
And your mother-in-law.
What about her?
Everyone has been singing her praises.
Sir, she deserves all the praise. Such a great lady.
She loved humming.
She would sit in the balcony every evening, hum a few songs
and drink her favourite tea.
[dramatic music]
If you think about it, both Amrut and Vishal
needed money.
Whether they are involved or not,
both of them have benefited.
Both of them looked at their needs.
Tea stains were found near the crime scene, right?
Sir, the waiter had mentioned
that there was an order from room number 210, for tea.
And it is mentioned in the forensic report too.
They found Vinita Nanda's fingerprints on the teacup.
That means she had drunk the tea.
30 minutes after the tea had been delivered, they heard the gunshot.
Doesn't it sound strange?
A couple checked into the hotel, went to their room
and ordered tea.
They drank the tea peacefully.
What happened in 30 minutes
that both of them died?
Sir, tea.
[pensive music playing]
Amrut, Vishal and Jennifer.
Their statements are quite similar.
I think the family is hiding something from us.
I think to understand this case,
we have to understand Vinita and Alok's relationship.
We've checked both of their calls recordings and text messages,
but we didn't find anything.
We found some voice recordings on Vinita Nanda's phone.
What recordings?
Sir, Vinita was fond of singing.
She has recorded some songs.
And there are some audio notes. Like an audio diary.
It has day-to-day matters.
Let's listen to the recordings.
[humming]
'5th January 2014'
'I agree you sing well'
'but why do you keep recording each time?'
'Alok, you know it's my habit.'
'Habit? At least your habit does not harm anyone.'
'But if your son's bad habits continue'
'then one day, we'll end up selling this house.'
- 'Alok. - Hmm.'
'Why do you always bring the topic back to Amrut?'
'I agree Amrut has made several mistakes in life.'
'But watch, one day he will surely change.'
'You're his mother,'
'that's why you are ignoring the obvious.'
'Your son has got out of hand.'
'Alok, the one who loses his way,'
'is the one who can find the correct path.'
'And watch, one day our Amrut'
'will find the right destination.'
'I only hope his destination is not a jail or de-addiction centre.'
Hmm.
Play the next audio.
'There are so many sounds around us.'
'And when there is no sound'
'then you can hear the silence too.'
'But only if we listen carefully.'
Sir, this has only day-to-day talks between the husband and wife.
Have some patience.
Next audio.
'Sometimes this does not feel like just tea,'
'but it's oxygen for me.'
'If I am feeling sad, then I add more ginger.'
'And if I'm feeling happy, then I add two leaves of mint.'
'My happiness doubles with just one sip,'
'and sadness comes down.'
'This is my grandma's recipe.'
'My grandma told my father.'
'And my father told me.'
'Looks like this recipe will end with me.'
'Because neither does Alok like this tea,'
'nor do my children like it.'
'But it's okay.'
'Nothing is permanent.'
'But, yes, as long as it's there,'
'we must enjoy it.'
[pensive music playing]
The case from 2014,
finally after 10 years, the verdict came in 2024.
All these years, both sons fought against the insurance company,
with the hope that they will get the claim.
But the truth came out, thanks to your investigation.
And they could not get the claim.
I'm not happy about winning the case.
Nor am I sorry for Amrut and Vishal.
I feel sorry
that we couldn't justify those who sacrificed their lives.
Yes, Inspector Viren Pratap, please tell us.
'Jai Hind,' sir.
Sir, this incident occurred on 23rd January, 2104.
The investigating officer of this strange case,
was Inspector Satish Sharma.
'23rd January, 2014'
20 days after the incident,
I was given the responsibility of re-investigating the case.
We gathered some new evidence
and the result that we got after studying the proof and circumstances
has been recorded in this file, sir.
[tense music playing]
- Officer. - Sir.
What is the basis of your conclusion?
Emotion.
Sir, to understand this case
and the motive behind this crime,
there was no sharp mind
or information network.
But it was important to understand the emotions of the victims.
And that's what I did.
[tense music playing]
'Hello, Hotel Royal Celebration Inn?'
'My name is Alok Nanda.'
'I want to book a room.'
'Okay, thank you.'
Vinita was a good-natured,
spiritually inclined lady,
a supporting wife
and a caring mother.
'Hi, Sujata. How are you?'
'I thought I'd catch up with my school friend.'
'I don't know whether I'll get this chance again.'
Vinita Nanda was very fond of tea.
That day at 11:11 am,
a call for room service
was made from room number 210.
And Vinita's favourite tea was ordered.
'And black pepper? Okay, got it.'
'I'll bring your order, right away.'
[suspenseful music playing]
Before leaving for the hotel
Vinita decorated her house beautifully.
She cooked her sons' and daughter-in-law's favourite dishes.
She cooked food to last for two days and kept it in the fridge.
Tea has been mentioned several times in this case.
What is the connection of tea with this case?
Sir, Vinita shared all the joys and sorrows of her life
with tea.
That's what they did before taking such a big decision in their lives.
They ordered their favourite tea.
'Mint, ginger, black pepper and salt.'
'And yes, add two extra mint leaves.'
'Listen...'
'Please boil it on low flame for some time.'
[vocalising]
[doorbell ringing]
[suspenseful music playing]
Vinita herself wanted
that her husband killed her.
[tense music playing]
[suspenseful music playing]
[tense music playing]
Okay, Alok. I'm ready.
[dramatic music playing]
[tense music playing]
[tense music continues playing]
[dramatic music continues playing]
[tense music playing]
[sinister music playing]
There were no struggle marks
on Vinita's body or Alok's clothes.
While investigating, we found that, the chair that Vinita was sitting on
there were nail marks on the armrest of that chair.
[vocalising]
Because Vinita
must have held the armrest tightly.
Vinita and Alok
loved their children immensely.
They were very worried about them.
Both their sons were going through financial crises.
That's why both the husband and wife made this plan.
We investigated their final moments.
And we found that
Alok had strangled his wife and killed her.
And then he killed himself.
so that Vinita's death could be proven as murder.
So that their children get the insurance claim.
As per the rules of the insurance company, if any person
plans a death to get the insurance claim,
then the claim is disqualified.
It's very sad
that the dream for which
Alok and Vinita made
such a big sacrifice,
that dream of theirs will not be fulfilled.
That's it, sir.
[tense music playing]
Given all the evidence, this court
gives its verdict in favour of ACKT Insurance company.
They are not obligated to pay any money to the victim's family.
[gavel banging]
[tense music playing]
[sombre music playing]
'Normally, after solving a case,'
'when justice is given and we win,'
'there is a feeling of having done something right.'
'But I have lost despite winning this case.'
'I wish this case hadn't come to me at all.'
This was a unique case in itself.
It was a big challenge for me.
To understand the nuances of this case
we tried to enter the minds of the victims.
Understanding their mindset,
decoding past actions and attention
was not easy.
For Vinita and Alok their children were everything.
They wanted their children's financial problems to go away.
They thought that with insurance money
Vishal and Amrut can repay their loans.
That's why they decided to sacrifice their lives.
A mother and father's love is incomparable.
No matter how big the children grow up to be,
but they are always worried about their children.
I'm very sorry
despite such a big sacrifice by Vinita and Alok,
their wish was not fulfilled.
As a human being,
I'm very sad about this.
But as a police officer,
I did what my duty called for.
Because nothing is above the law.
Please permit me to take leave.
I'll meet you again.
'Jai Hind.'