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This is an archive article published on March 14, 2013
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Opinion Amateur sleuthing hour

News channels pitched in to assist Delhi Police investigations into Ram Singh’s alleged suicide in Tihar

Shailaja Bajpai

March 14, 2013 02:43 AM IST First published on: Mar 14, 2013 at 02:43 AM IST

If the Delhi Police needed any assistance in their investigations into the death of Ram Singh,a prime accused in the Delhi gangrape case,help was but a remote away. On Monday,at least 30 channels had their sleuths busily measuring the length and breadth of the Tihar jail cell where Singh was detained,his height,the height of the iron grill,the bucket he allegedly used to help hang himself,and even the exact reclining position of the other three inmates of the same cell that fateful night. Tuesday’s newspapers also had graphics and questions about the cause of Singh’s death but none had the dramatic quality of television news: “The people of this country feel cheated”,declared Arnab Goswami,self-appointed official spokesperson for India. Headlines Today was a little less general: “23-year-old braveheart cheated of justice”,declaimed anchor Rahul Shivshankar with the oratorical skills of an actor. “The facts don’t add up,” he calculated and went on to explain why: the height of grill (8 feet) and the height of Ram Singh (5 feet 8 inches) did not equal a suicide. And then there was the mysterious case of his right hand,which “was very weak” — whereupon Shivshankar pointed to his own arm — and could not have tied a noose. Either way,it was quite a feat.

Defence lawyer V.K. Anand,who was representing Ram Singh,provided the police with a cast-iron case against suicide. He told Times Now,and any other news channel,that Ram Singh was “happy — khush tha”,he had “no mental stress”,so why would he commit suicide? Now,you may find it incredulous that a man being tried for gangrape and murder was “happy” but then your name is not Anand — he sounded as though he sincerely believed that his client was glad to be behind bars,facing a possible death sentence. That,or he’s a great actor.

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Oh well,if that wasn’t silly enough,how about this: on Monday,interrupting its investigations of the “suicide”,Times Now rang the alarm bells. “Breaking news — Bitti’s relatives evaded media”. Evading the police is indeed newsworthy,but evading the media shouldn’t interest anyone but the media.

If the news channels fail to impress the Delhi Police with their detective work,the arm of the law could reach out to Aamna Saamna Investigative (Colors). This worthy species is involved in “social and domestic problem solving” — aha,just the people we need. In Sunday’s episode,the Aamna Saamna team investigated one John D’ Costa and his harassment of one Mahima. Then John was hauled up before the Aamna Saamna judges in Mahima’s presence and all hell broke loose. Frankly,did not understand what was going on or why this was being inflicted on the viewer,but it was a Sunday,so who cares?

Saw some good shows on the English entertainment channels,Sunday. Community (FX) is a funky,funny look at a community college in small town USA; Samantha Who? (Zee Cafe) is all about a young lady who cannot remember her past,which is just as well since she wasn’t a very nice person back then. Now she’s trying to make up for it with a brand new life. Lighthearted with an interesting premise. Oh,and JAG is back (Fox Crime). Remember the good-looking Commander Harmon,the lissome Lt Col Sarah and others out to catch naughty marines and naval personnel?

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Finally,there’s Anger Management for Charlie Sheen to burst a blood vessel. Except that he’s the anger management therapist. Good joke. Well,that is about as funny as it gets: the humour is as strained as Sheen’s expressions. He was far better in Two and a Half Men and far,far better than Ashton Kutcher,who replaced him. Anger Management doesn’t have enough bile or genuine outrageous outbursts like the film is it based on,and a little too much of Sheen in bed trying to act funny with his girlfriend,or act funny,period. You find yourself waiting for the moment when Charlie (as he is called on the show) is fed up of being a nice guy and will just have a go at someone. Atta boy.

shailaja.bajpai@expressindia.com