Indian Predator: Murder in a Courtroom (2022) User Reviews

A fight for justice.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 10 November 2022]

Akku Yaddav terrorises the women and girls of the small Kasturba village, raping and murdering, the authorities do nothing, the local women do.

Wow, this was a real eye opener, an almost shocking drama. I've been somewhat mixed in my views about the Indian Predator series so far, this series though is head and shoulders above the last few.

Well paced, well produced, it is a little muddled in parts, the narrative does jump about, but in the end, the pieces do come together quite well.

Netflix did a good job at presenting both sides, apart from hearing from the women who went after him, you will also hear from his supporters too, accounts are genuinely shocking.

You'll have to make up your own mind as to whether you think they were right to do what they did, but one thing was evident, there was no justice, Yaddav's victims were failed by the legal system, those that issued their own justice felt like they had no other course of action.

One thing that is evident in every documentary series where there is perpetrator and victim, is that people always target the most vulnerable they can find, those that society has turned their back on, and stopped caring about, focusing on people who the authorities will perhaps turn a blind eye to, it doesn't matter the country, the time, the crime, it's always the same.

Genuinely a cracking watch, 8/10.

The best entry in the series thus far! [+73%]

[arungeorge13 · 7/10 · 30 October 2022]

There is a certain level of satisfaction when you learn how the oppressed residents of Kasturba Nagar took matters into their own hands and finished off a true, unflinching monster - Akku Yadav. Director Umesh Kulkarni details the proceedings over 3 episodes, an hour each. While it begins with the titular murder incident that took place in a district court room in Maharashtra, the real meat of the story lies in what preceded it, dating almost 5 years back (1999-2004).

Akku Yadav was a terror-inducing presence in the Kasturba Nagar slum inhabited mostly by Dalits. He inflicted various kinds of harm on the community as a whole, especially on helpless women and children, with the menfolk unable to do much except join their families in plight. This is truly the stuff of nightmares, especially when you have to live in fear of harassment, attack, or abuse on a daily basis. Maybe, that's why it's so relevant to give these ladies a platform to candidly voice out how they felt living life in those times.

The makers also do not go the exploitative route, giving the victims due respect and letting them reveal just as much as they want to. The crimes of Akku Yadav are narrated in ghastly detail but the visual recreation never resorts to shocking imagery unlike the previous couple of entries. Even a particularly horrific murder committed by Yadav is handled without the usual blood-soaked frames.

Some of the women sound off on Yadav's intimidating presence, how much they detested him, and their own attempts to kill him without thinking twice. Their confidence is just exhilarating to watch, and translates over to viewers as well. Of course, it's an absolute failure of the police and judicial systems, allowing a criminal like Yadav to go about doing what he did for so long. The perspective of journalists, friends, and lawyers of Yadav obviously lean a different way, but it's easy to look past that. Yeah, even if you don't applaud the ladies for deleting Yadav from existence in the gnarliest way, their lives are proof enough to acknowledge the levels of oppression that they've been through.

P. S - I whistled when Usha brought out an open gas cylinder and confronted Yadav who was ready to barge into her house and possibly kill her. The point is, documentaries don't always offer such moments. This one did!

A gritty documentary about lower caste women's revenge on the man for terrorised their community

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 22 November 2022]

This three part documentary series tells the story of the killing of Akku Yadav. It is a very unusual case; for years he had terrorised the people of Kasturba Nagar, a slum area of the city of Nagpur with impunity. His crimes included murder, rape and extortion. Eventually he was arrested and during his bail hearing a large number of women forced their way into the court and killed him. The authorities seemed far keener to arrest these poor woman than they were to stop Yadav. The series starts with his death before telling us about his crimes; this takes the form of first person testimony from surviving victims. There are also statements from Yadav's friends who refuse to believe he could have committed the crimes he was accused of.

I found this to be a really interesting documentary. When one first learns about a man being lynched in court it is hard not to think that nothing could justify such action but the more we learn about his crimes and the authorities' refusal to do anything about them one can't help be far more sympathetic to his victims than him. As well as shining a light on a specific case it also servers to highlight the treatment of the Dalit community, the so-called Untouchables, at the time. The format of interviews mixed with some re-enactments of key events is really effective. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to people interested in real crime stories or those interested in India and its people, particularly how those at the bottom of society are treated.

Abusive language

[guitarfrend · 6/10 · 3 May 2024]

I'm giving less ratings because of nasty dirty abusive language in Hindi language. The producers must know that Indians don't practice abusive dirty language or words that they have used here. Proper censorship is required. The production was excellent otherwise. The only social factor was missing on why do the police and court always ignore such poor communities in India, and take side with the criminals. There must be some specific explanations behind it.

The reasons behind the community had to take justice in their own hands was communicated very well. Their action was fully divine justice. The government should have apologised to the community and compensated them financially along with sentencing the accomplices of Akku who were equally involved in rapes. It wasn't shown as to whether they were also caught by police.

Living with a Devil

[ashwinslash · 9/10 · 1 November 2022]

True story of Kasturba village horror.. the level of crime shown in the show is unimaginable and extremely horrific.. Residents of the village had to not only face the atrocities of the antagonist but also that of Police, administration and media.. When they decide to enact, the so called media brand them as urban naxal.. however justice prevails better late than never.. this documentary is an eye opener to the society for understanding the life of underprivileged and how they are treated by the society.. Truly remarkable documentary.. Hats off to Netflix for bringing the facts on to the table.

You shiver.. with anger You shiver from the brutality faced by those womans..

[akshavhad · 10/10 · 31 October 2022]

Look at the Expression, hand movements, the anger of the accused and co accused.. it will send a stunning shiver within you... what you see in this series is that yes there was pain, yes they suffering because of incompetent police, judiciary.. then you want that "Ravan" to die.. you see that thoes who did all this did not see his cast, they were not the member of any gang, nor they were nexalite.. I find it horrible that at the end of the day their were people who found that killing him was not right.. they took it to castism, naxalism.. they promoted their journalism.. but the real reason was pain, pain, pain, pain..N and anger.

I pity that dainikbhaskar journalist i pity him.. i pity those friends of demon.. I pity him..

After seeing this, anger is unfathomable.....

[rishavrste · 10/10 · 13 December 2022]

I would say, If their version of story is even half true then this past should haunt the indian justice and legal system ages to come. I know I got no right to comment on truthfullness of the series. It was a documentary where different put forward their own version of story. But, It was evident from the series how the justice failed not only one person but a whole village. That feeling of helplessness, pain , anger nobody deserves let alone the the innocent people of kasturba nagar and I pity the monster's(I know MONSTER right but some incident are so heinous that it sends a shiver through your body, tears through your eyes and fills into your heart) lawyer, his friends and that Journalist even with all your absurd theories you couldn't put forward any logical theory to justify his actions.

Heart breaking and disturbing

[rbeck-25263 · 9/10 · 30 October 2022]

Such a great documentary, detailing the struggles of those living in the slums who where targeted by a predator. I found it moving, listening/heating the interviews with this affected by one man and his gangs attacks. This documentary really show cases what life is like, living in that environment. Also how the police were in effective in handling complaints and safe guarding the victims. I felt angry watching it, realising the depth of poverty, corruption and fear demonstrated in these peoples lives. A well done documentary which really educated on not only true crime, but cultural and political impacts.

Who is the actual predator here?

[ashwinawesome · 4/10 · 9 January 2023]

They came together to kill him brutally but why they didn't came forward when the first crime was took place? Why they haven't raised there voice together as mass? Killing someone in democratic country like India! This shows where the society is going actually. He was criminal he deserved to be get punished but killing someone is not a way. I think this is an pre planned conspiracy nothing more than that. Truth finding committee stated that the mob has no face, really? They indirectly justified the murder! Even the judiciary failed to deliver a justice. This is bone chilling incident and the murderers has been glorified in the name of women power. Police failed, judiciary failed and the society failed here in this case.

We won't wait for Justice endlessly

[areebaqamar-81308 · 10/10 · 4 February 2023]

Bravo to the community for taking justice in their own hands and for showing that they won't tolerate injustice beyond a certain point. The perfect example of snatching justice when the law enforcement agencies and officers and other responsible for it fail to deliver it. Best indian documentary I have ever watched. The anger and fear you will feel at the horrors committed by Aaku and his gang is nothing as compared to the satisfaction you will feel at the unity that the community displayed at the end and the fearlessness and the confidence of the women. I love the 'chaka jam' at the start of the series.

India is amazing

[koofasa · 8/10 · 5 November 2022]

I've spent a lot of time in India and I've even been to Nagpur where this situation took place. I've always wondered what would happen if the Indian people stood together against their institutions because they have so many people and such a rigid socioeconomic hierarchy. The caste system has kept the poor of India in their place. They don't complain about social issues the way we do and they are the kindest people on the planet. The action taken by these women was brave and progressive and I hope they can replicate it elsewhere in the country. The documentary was well done but they should have used an English speaker to do some of the translation but I was able to follow what they were saying for the most part. Namaste.

Warning - Disturbing and Thrilling.

[sumitranaware-26138 · 8/10 · 30 October 2022]

Truly disturbing and a must watch. Story have been well edited and gracefully explained in 3 episodes. Well Done to Umesh Kulkarni.

I saw how there was a mountain of haterate, because of which people was not able to see innocent people on the other side.

Why Hindi speaking people was not able to belive, what Marathi women were saying.

Why people don't understand suffering of women ?

Why Non Marathi people hates Marathi people ?

Why upper caste people hates lower cast people ?

Why have you wore so much glasses of hate ?

Alll these questions will arise in you, time to time while watching this series.

You would also feel like you are one of the women suffered. The terror of Aukk will give you goosebumps. As if he migh come for you too.

P. S. This documentary has been directed by Umesh Kulkarni. Dedicated to Soumitra Bhave. A Brahmin man dedicating to a Brahmin women (film director) ? Why ? Why diddnt he felt like dedicating to any dalit women ? Why have you hold caste as your first priority ?

Worth watching and sharing documentary.

Jai Bhim.

Indian predator:murder in a courtroom

[puranjanbasak · 9/10 · 5 November 2022]

Indian predator:murder in a courtroom is the third installment of the indian predator series directed by umesh vinayak kulkarni. And i have to say, this is my second liked of the three parts.

This docu makes a very vivd commentary on caste oppression and injustice. The accused used to commit crimes specially against the dalit minority. This show villifies the accused also tries to show a balanced narrative which is good to see. It includes many interviews of different sets of people who give differing opinions on him. Also, it humanises the situation of the dalit women so brilliantly that it almost churns out your stomach out of disguest for the accused.

I did not like the dubbing of several characters. They were speaking in marathi, should have kept them in marathi. It would have been more real.

This is one hell of a documentary. Must watch!

Justice in women's hands

[sulemansaeeed · 9/10 · 21 March 2024]

Indian Predator: Murder in a Courtroom

Akku Yadav, an animal like a criminal who was a rapist, a killer, a murderer, a thief, a dacoit, was killed by several women in the courtroom on the day when he was to be presented to court.

He had caused so much pain in that area of Kasturba Nagar, Nagpur. People did their level best to get justice, but it was useless. Finally, people decide to take justice forcefully. And they kill them and they're very happy with that. All of them were acquitted.

What else could be the solution to it, people did what was supposed to be done. And that's not wrong, people have the right to get justice if they're not getting it the right way.

It had never been easy for them to tolerate him.