NEW DELHI। In an explosive new memoir, Black Warrant, Legal advisor at Tihar Jain, Sunil Gupta and journalist Sunetra Choudhury offers an unprecedented and intimate glimpse into the life of Asia’s largest prison—Tihar Jail. The book is not only a detailed exploration of the brutal, secretive world inside the walls of the prison but also an eye-opening examination of India’s judicial and criminal justice system.

The memoir follows the journey of Sunil Gupta, a railway man with a higher calling, who unexpectedly finds himself in Tihar. Initially, Gupta was assisted by a familiar face when securing a job within the prison. However, it was only on his way out that he realized that he was being helped by none other than Charles Sobhraj, the infamous ‘Bikini Killer’ and high-functional psychopath. A notorious figure in the criminal world, Sobhraj was one of the many high-profile criminals who ran the show inside Tihar a place where beatings, hunger strikes, and constant power struggles are part of daily life.

Sunil Gupta, who had initially arrived as a new recruit, would remain in Tihar for over three decades—his fate sealed as a ‘lifer’ in a place where violence and struggle for survival are daily realities. The book explores Gupta’s transformation as he spends years in the notorious prison, witnessing and experiencing the shocking events that unfold in one of the most infamous correctional institutions in the world.

Black Warrant is not only a personal account but also a powerful journalistic investigation into the questions that have plagued India’s legal system. Choudhury delves into gripping real-life stories such as the mysterious death of Ram Singh, the convicted rapist of the Nirbhaya case, who was found dead in his cell under controversial circumstances. Was his death a suicide, or was he murdered? Choudhury uncovers the truth behind many such stories, revealing how high-profile criminals like Afzal Guru, Sobhraj, and others lived and died within Tihar’s walls.

The book goes on to explore shocking revelations about life inside the prison, including the grueling conditions faced by the inmates, their struggles for rights, and the harsh realities of a system that often fails to deliver justice. The author also sheds light on the unsung stories of lesser-known, but equally troubled, prisoners who were caught in a corrupt system, some wrongfully convicted and others serving life sentences in the shadows of society.

Through vivid storytelling and firsthand accounts, Black Warrant provides an unfiltered view of India’s prison system. Choudhury has captured the raw, untold stories from a place where secrecy and survival are paramount, offering readers a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on the dark underbelly of the nation’s justice system.

This book is a must-read for those interested in true crime, social justice, and the mechanics of one of the world’s most controversial penal systems. Black Warrant is more than just a story about criminals; it’s an exploration of the profound impact of the judicial system on those it incarcerates—and a compelling examination of the line between justice and injustice.

About Authors
Sunil Gupta
SUNIL GUPTA began working at Tihar Jail in 1981 and was later promoted to the position of spokesperson and legal advisor of the jail. Since leaving Tihar Jail, he has worked with the High Court and Supreme Court as an advocate and member of the Delhi High Court Bar Association, accomplishing much to improve India’s prison systems, from introducing Special Courts within the prisons to initiating video conferencing connections between jails and the court. He has also fought for gender equality within the prison system by ensuring that women are availed the same privileges of semi-open and open jail which are given to men. His efforts have earned him the India Vision Award for his achievements in the field of Prison Reforms and Administration. Gupta is the sole officer from the legal field to have received the President’s Correctional Medal for Meritorious as well as Distinguished Services. This is his first book.

Sunetra Choudhury
Sunetra Choudhury started her career at the Indian Express newspaper where she headed the city team. Three years later she moved to TV news and joined NDTV. After covering the 2009 election campaign travelling across the country on a bus for two months, she wrote Braking News. Her latest book Behind Bars: Prison Tales of India’s Most Famous (2017, Roli Books) was the result of extensive interviews with high-profile inmates. In 2016, she received the Red Ink award and is the 2018 Jefferson Fellow.