rawing on the memoir, Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison, by Indian investigative journalist Jigna Vora, a real-life account of the challenges the crime reporter had to face, the six-episode series traces her journey after she was accused in connection with the homicide of a fellow reporter and incarcerated. A court acquitted her seven years later.

Scoop highlights the significance of timely and compelling news stories. It also shows pervasive micro-aggressions female journalists face on the field in her part of the world. In addition to her unjust imprisonment and the conspiracy against her, the series also illustrates the power struggle within the fourth estate, where concern for ratings can prevail over commitment to the whole truth.

The story behind the story

Vora, an ambitious and hardworking crime reporter based in Mumbai, was charged with the murder of her colleague Jyotirmoy Dey in 2011 and arrested.

The shocking incident unfolded before horrified onlookers in Hiranandani, Powai, Mumbai, where Dey fell victim to unidentified assailants. At that time, he had been working on a story about the ‘oil mafia.’ The police suspected that he was killed because of his work.

As outrage around the murder picked up steam and pressure mounted on the authorities, they implicated Vora, a fellow journalist, also thought to be a professional rival.

The police caught the men involved in the murder and found that they had connections with mafia boss Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje alias Chhota Rajan, they also detained Vora in November 2011, claiming that she, too, was a suspect.

The police alleged that Vohra, a professional rival, had assisted Chhota Rajan by tipping his men off and sharing information with them.

Jigna Vora, the deputy bureau chief of a tabloid, then remained in prison for nine months before she was granted bail. She denied all the allegations and maintained that she was being framed.

After a legal battle spanning over seven years, she was acquitted in 2018 on the grounds that the evidence presented against her was insufficient.

The series examines the hurdles that Vora faces in her journey to prove herself innocent. It also demonstrates the complexity of fairness as a maxim and brings to the forefront the lacunae in the judicial system; the cracks through which many slip.

A tale of resilience

Jagruti Pathak is an ambitious crime reporter who rises to the rank of deputy bureau chief of a fictional newspaper called Eastern Age.

In the series directed by Hansal Mehta, Pathak is shown putting her heart into the stories she works on. She meticulously crafts her pieces, obtaining comments from exclusive sources to enrich her reports.

Jagruti’s life is smooth until the 37-year-old woman becomes the primary suspects in the sensational murder of Jaideb Sen, the head of investigations for another paper.

With the investigation under way, Pathak’s name is intricately linked to the crime leading to charges against her and gangster Chhota Rajan.

Scoop is a gripping tale brought to life with strong performances by Karishma Tanna who plays Jagruti, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub who takes on the role of Imran Siddiqui, editor-in-chief of the Eastern Age and Prosenjit Chatterjee who essays Jaideb Sen.

Harman Baweja starring as JCP Harshavardhan Shroff, Tannishtha Chatterjee as Leena and Deven Bhojani as Pathak’s maternal uncle add to the storyline.

The series vividly depicts the life of an innocent accused, interlaced with gripping courtroom drama. It shows how crime reporters function and the toll some of the stories they work on take on them.

As the story unfolds, the series also explores the motives behind Vora’s arrest.

A twisted spectacle

Pathak sacrifices her social and family life to chase a front-page scoop. She spends hours in the newsroom, stumbles into underworld characters and struggles with finding time to spend with her ten-year-old child.

She forms dangerous friendship with criminals and forges alliances with influential Mumbai police, lawyers and mafia figures.

Exceptional people skills have helped her advance her career faster than her peers. Her passion for pursuing controversial stories draws numerous rivals and ill-wishers.

Jagruti Pathak, a fictionalised version of Vora, is well-essayed by Karishma Tanna who captures the essence of her character, striking a balance between determination and vulnerability. As a journalist with a wide circle of contacts, Pathak frequently goes beyond the expected to help acquaintances and strangers. This leads to a series of fascinating sagas.

Pathak’s colleagues pounce on her story like vultures, they are no more than mere pawns for the influential. Some of them peddle misinformation with no regard for the truth.

Mehta threads in the quote, “If one person says it’s raining and another says it’s dry, it’s not your job to quote them both. Your job is to look out the window and find out which is true.“

More questions than answers

Viewers are prompted to question the state of modern journalism and the balance between truth and sensationalism. Well-written episodes and exceptional performances leaves viewers with more questions than answers.

The series comes as a much-needed wake-up call in an era where critical thinking and ethical reporting are increasingly needed. Scoop is a must-watch for gripping storytelling, social commentary and powerful performances.

Above all, Scoop is an authentic depiction of Vora’s narrative, establishing her as a victim in the crosshairs of a mafia conspiracy and the relentless scrutiny of a media trial.

The writer is a freelance contributor