Ex-CBI officer sues ‘The Hunt’ over Rajiv Gandhi assassination probe

Former IPS officer Amod Kanth on Thursday accused the makers of the Sony Liv web series The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case of misrepresenting the 1991 investigation into the assasination of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Kanth has alleged that the show defames the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and distorts facts regarding the historic probe.

Kanth, who led key portions of the investigation as the CBI’s Deputy Inspector General, has issued legal notices citing criminal defamation under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He said his legal team is also considering an intervention petition in the Delhi High Court, in line with other pleas demanding regulation of Over-The-Top (OTT) content.

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‘Defamatory and misleading’

“They have used extremely defamatory scenes to portray the central agencies,” Kanth said at a press conference. “Scenes of torture and extra-judicial methods to show how the CBI conducts itself are a massive misconstruction. Usage of torture can never happen within the CBI.”

Kanth stressed that he has always opposed extra-judicial measures. “As the DIG officially leading the investigation, including custodial interrogations and recording of TADA confessions, I am against any use of custodial torture or any other extra-judicial measure. CBI officials are very professional and follow strict protocols,” he said.

Misuse of names, distortion of facts

The former officer alleged that the web series misuses names, images and facts, particularly in Episodes 2, 3 and 4.

“The 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 pointed out that the show falsely depicts threats to rape accused Nalini during interrogation. “In reality, no such custodial violence ever occurred,” he said, adding that he has documented the events in his book Khaki in Dust Storm.

He also criticised the series for factual inaccuracies, such as wrongly crediting RK Raghavan of the Tamil Nadu Police, instead of P Chandrashekaran, for preserving the crime scene and handling evidence. He said the timeline of the CBI probe is misrepresented, officers are shown in locations they never visited, and events at Konanakunte are inaccurately depicted.

He further objected to what he described as the show’s “sympathetic portrayal” of LTTE members.

Kanth seeks OTT regulation

The controversy, Kanth argued, highlights the absence of regulation for streaming content.

“There is no one looking at the content that is being produced and published on online platforms. While theatrical releases have the censor board, there is none for OTT platforms,” he said.

He warned that unregulated shows can distort historical events and damage the reputations of public servants.

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About the series

The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case is a political crime drama set in the tense aftermath of the 1991 Sriperumbudur suicide bombing. It follows a CBI special investigation team racing to uncover the network behind the attack.

Kanth insists that while dramatisation is normal, the show crosses a line by presenting fabricated incidents as fact and misrepresenting the work of the original investigation team.