Amod K Kanth challenges web series on Rajiv Gandhi assassination case

The lead investigating officer in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, then DIG Amod K Kanth, has challenged the makers of the Sony Liv web series The Hunt: Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case for allegedly misrepresenting critical facts in one of the country’s most sensitive political investigations.

During a media briefing at the Press Club of India in New Delhi on Thursday, Kanth recounted the true course of events in this critical national investigation. He objected to the misuse of creative liberty and the dramatization of characters and events for cinematic purposes, accusing the creators of the series of undermining the legacy of dedicated officers and eroding public trust in the institutions that upheld the law during a time of national crisis.

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“Use of actual names and images, coupled with distorted facts, is not only misleading but also risks defaming the reputations of individuals who have served the country with integrity,” he said.

Kanth voiced concerns over the fabrication of several investigative procedures in the series, including the handling of the crime scene, the collection of evidence, the depiction of third-degree torture, and the unethical and disgraceful portrayal of the arrest of co-accused Athirai. He also objected to scenes showing the use of abusive language and smoking by his character.

Former DIG asserted that the show blends real events with fictional elements, thereby tarnishing the image of CBI officers involved in the investigation. He objected to the portrayal of investigators threatening the accused — including threats of rape — as deeply misleading and damaging.

Kanth emphasised that CBI officials are highly professional and operate under strict protocols. The fictionalised and dramatic portrayal, he said, has seriously harmed his reputation not only as a senior police officer but also as a social activist.

Alleging that the series not only defames him but also the entire CBI team involved in one of India’s most crucial investigations, Kanth has issued a legal notice dated July 21 — later amended on July 24 — to the makers of the web series under Section 356(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, objecting to the portrayal of distorted facts, events, and investigation procedures.