SUBJECT: 3.5/5
WRITING: 3/5
OVERALL: 3/5
Anuj Tikku is again back with the latest book in his massive hepatology, “Yes Sir I Killed My Dad”. This book is the seventh book in the series. It revolves around the life of serial killer Vijay Palande awaiting his trial while rotting in the jails of Maharashtra – first the Taloja jail and then the Arthur Road jail. For the uninitiated, Vijay Palande is a serial killer who has been convicted of one murder and is under trial for three more gruesome murders.
In this latest book, Kaal Ki Qaid Mein, Anuj gives us a sneak peek into the world of prisons in India. He tells us how life in jail quickly deteriorates and has a huge impact on physical and mental health. This, he illustrates by the example of Palande and many other hardened criminals who once ruled the streets of Mumbai but are now living life in desperate conditions, their Karma finally having caught up with them.
He also explores the corruption that is rampant in the jails of India and shows us how if you have money or the right kind of connections, just about anything is accessible within the tough walls of prison. From mobile phones to high-quality liquor to the fanciest of food and whatnot, criminals use their ill-gotten money to exploit this deeply corrupt system to the best of their advantage.
The reader is then offered a dive into the world of gangs and gangsters that continue to be a part of many Maharashtrian jails. Many infamous gangsters are living within their old crumpled walls – some thriving, while some hardly surviving. These include Arun Gawli, Abu Salem, Satish Kalia, and their likes.
The book briefly dives into their fictional stories, where they all become the characters in the massive Indian jail system. We also get to see Rana Kapoor of the Yes Bank fame included in the vast cast of characters in the book. Vijay Palande features extensively along with his aide Danny aka Dhananjay. As the readers read about their sorry fate, we are once again reminded of the law of Karma, which spares no one.
Then there is the good character of Islam Zahoor, the prison superintendent, who is strict and very hardy when it comes to keeping the inmates in check.
The tone of writing is dramatic sometimes, and matter of fact at others. That is a good mix, as masala-enthused conversations and the dramatic flair given to the various events keep things interesting.
The book is short, just under 80 pages, and paced well. It does feel repetitive at times, but that’s a small flaw that can be easily overlooked.
Can’t wait to read it? You can buy your copy of ‘Kaal Ki Qaid Mein’ by Anuj Tikku using the link below.
