EP-343 | Inside India’s Biggest Cases: Rajiv, Indira, Jessica Lal & More | Ex-IPS Amod Kanth

Amod Kanth is a former IPS officer who served in the Delhi Police and is known for handling some of India’s most high-profile and sensitive cases. He was the investigating officer in the Jessica Lal murder case and played a key role in probing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Kanth also headed the Crime Branch and later founded Prayas, an NGO working for children and youth.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Amod Kanth speaks about the motive behind Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination and what really went on behind the scenes. He also talks about the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the rise of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, and how the Jessica Lal case changed India, highlighting the crucial role of media activism.

He shares first-hand accounts of policing during turbulent times, the challenges of maintaining law and order, and the lessons these landmark cases hold for India’s governance and society.

00:00 – Introduction

02:59 – Jessica Lal Murder Case

11:09 – Big Names at the Party When Jessica Was Murdered

20:08 – Jessica Lal Murder Investigation

23:24 – Cover-Up in the Jessica Case

30:16 – Manu Sharma's Surrender

34:09 – Court Acquitted All Accused in the Jessica Case

35:52 – How Media Scrutiny Reopened the Jessica Case

44:15 – BMW Hit & Run Case

57:28 – Sting Operation on BMW Hit & Run Case

01:02:34 – Why the Witness Flipped in BMW Hit & Run Case

01:07:11 – Romesh Sharma Chopper Case

01:14:47 – Romesh Sharma's Connection with Mafias

01:20:01 – Bhindranwale & Operation Blue Star

01:30:00 – Indira Gandhi's Assassination

01:32:44 – How Did Delhi Police Handle the 1984 Riots?

01:42:28 – Rajiv Gandhi's Assassination

01:48:58 – Why Rajiv Gandhi Neglected Security

01:51:20 – Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Probe

01:56:58 – Delhi After Rajiv Gandhi's Death

01:59:08 – Amod Kanth's 'Prayas JAC Society'

02:03:44 – Joining Politics