Crime Patrol Dastak

Host: Anup Soni

Crime Patrol Dastak is back in its second season. The late night show is a dramatic recreation of real-life incidents. The first episode was about a middle-class Delhi school-girl. A young man stalks her for a couple of years till one day he just shoots her on spotting her with another boy in college. It turns out the criminal was a psycho who dreamt of marrying her. Though the girl had him beaten up by her mohallawallas,she doesn’t trust her parents enough. A crime that could have been averted with the timely intervention of her parents and the police proves to be a fatal mistake.

Anup Soni,the host of the show,time and again goads viewers to be alert of their surroundings,to keep a check on their near and dear ones,pick the signals from the probable victim so that the crime rate is in check. In short,he says,when crimes gives a dastak,better be prepared lest we lose something or someone precious to us.

The second case was about a young college girl of Ahmedabad. Engaged to a family friend’s son,one day she doesn’t return from college. The next day,she is found dead in a canal. After investigation,it comes to light,that her fiancé and his friend killed her only because the former wasn’t interested in marrying her and wanted to get back with his ex-girlfriend! In this case,the boy’s family was to be blamed because they forced him to get engaged to her even though he had clearly told them he wasn’t interested. By the time they realise,it’s too late in the day with both the families having to pay a hefty price. The girl is dead and the boy is arrested!

Talking about the show,it exposes the gory face of crime and criminals in a matter-of-fact way. No frills,no fancy,just a hardcore depiction of real cases. Obviously,the show is only going to get worse with the ‘cases’ getting more complex and dirty. But the 11 pm slot ensures that children are unable to watch it.

The show is certainly a lot better than the channel’s other on-going crime detective series that has lost its steam.

Verdict: ***

Watch it and stay alert!