Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison

by Jigna Vora

Renowned journalist Jyotirmoy Dey-fondly known as J, Dey-was murdered by members of the Chhota Rajan gang in 2011. A few months later, a fellow journalist and crime reporter Jigna Vora was arrested in connection with the murder. Seven years later, some of which were spent in prison, Jigna was acquitted of all charges. This is her story in her own words, of the time in prison, the court hearings and her years as a crime reporter of breaking many front-page stories.

Jigna's work brought her in contact with people like Himanshu Roy, the former additional director general of police of Maharashtra, while her time in jail put her in the company of inmates such as Pragya Thakur. Behind Bars in Byculla traces the intricate web of power dynamics that govern the inmates of a prison and what it takes to survive behind bars.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Crime, True Crime, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Politics

186 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2019

Reviews

[Jyotsna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 stars
NPS: 10 (Promoter)

A journalist may think he or she is breaking a story, but the journalist is seldom aware of the hidden agenda behind it. Journalists are often used by cops, politicians, gangsters and film stars to propagate their agenda.

This is a really well edited and narrated book about the harrowing experiences one has to face once falsely accused of crime in India. Be it the prolonged justice, or be it the endless wait, it’s an eye opener on the system via an accused eyes.

Recommend this for sure.

[Khushi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this after watching an episode of Netflix's Scoop. The characters and publications mentioned aren't difficult to guess, from the book. While the series is badly made, the book itself is written in a manner analogous to every other crime-fiction/non-fiction written about Mumbai. Hussain Zaidi easily takes the crown when it comes to writing about crime in Mumbai. Being Vora's editor at Asian Age, the Zaidi influence is real.

Overall an extremely easy and entertaining read.

[Geeta Ramani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind Bars in Byculla - This. is a fast moving account of the time the author, Jigna Vora spent in jail. The author had enjoyed a high profile life as a crime reporter. She had been caught in the crossfire and jailed on trumped up charges. She writes about her time in jail where she met criminals, both from the underbelly of the city and the sophisticated neighbourhood. She also writes poignantly about her personal losses and those of her family, during this period.

[Celia Sánchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of investigative journalist Jigna Vora who was accused of being responsible for the hit on journalist J De.Great insight into the life at Byculla jail, the inmates, the hierarchy and the need for superstition and spirituality.Very gripping story from page 1 till the end. As I was reading I thought this could be made into high drama Bollywood potboiler...with some spices added, of course. Later I googled to know more about the main protagonist I discovered that a movie based on her life in prison is already in pipeline. I’m sure it would be interesting to see it in silver screen...can’t wait.....

recommended ....

[Siddharth Iyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Innocent until proven guilty

Jigna Vora's case highlights the flaws in our judiciary system. The fact that a wrong statement took 6 years to be be examined and the pain that a suspect has to go through is an eye opener.


The book aptly covers all the details of J Dey's murder case, but unlike a true fictional novel would end, with the mystery getting resolved and police catching the real culprit, the readers are left with questions behind the motive and who had instigated Jigna Vora's involvement. But again , maybe life is like that. We would never know all the answers!!!!'

[Deepak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jigna Vora’s Behind Bars in Byculla is a raw, engaging dive into Tihar Jail life, with vivid storytelling that hooks you. Sloppy editing and factual errors, like wrong names, disrupt the flow, and the abrupt ending feels rushed. A sharper edit could’ve elevated this gritty memoir further.

[Gurpreet Dhariwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a well written book. The only thing that I truly felt while reading it on Kindle was it should have been edited well. There was a page where she has mentioned about Indrani Mukherjee's daughter Sheena Bora (as the main accused) while Sheena was never an accuse in any of the cases. She was brutally murdered by her own mother. That needs to be corrected in the book. I re-read it four time to make sure that I read the wrong information. The rest of the book is hilarious at times because of Jigna's encounter with other victims in the Jail. Some were victims while others were killers.

I would recommend it to all those who have watched Scoop to know the real story about her through her words.

[Anu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I watched a podcast of her yesterday it was new thing for me to see such deep story which was real it made me more curious about who she is as a person
I searched up articles her social media nd came across this book
I read it, it was my first time reading autobiography i got to see me things that still. Happen in this world nd how justice prevails
I couldn't read few chapters but those I read truly made me doubt things that didn't change in years of indian law Order
I was disappointed in media nd how things are so easily twisted today
Hope things can change in future. Best of luck for future

[Jyotirmoy Gupta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued by Jigna's story after watching the Netflix show Scoop. The book focuses on Jigna's time in jail while the Netflix adaptation was made as a thriller leading to her arrest. You can see Hussain Zaidi's influence in her writing, who was also once her editor. But it might not be as engaging as his books.

I felt that the show was better than the book. But for such a short and quick read, it is a pretty good book.

[Anant Lawande · Rating 3 out of 5]

The journalistic background of the author is evident by the matter-of-fact writing style used in the book. With regards to the story. Its a pretty harrowing tale. The book is full of moments wherein the writer gets treated the same way (?or worse) as she used to treat and report on other accused/undertrials/criminals when she was a journalist.

[Niket Sheth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. The trials and experience of a celebrated crime reporter from Mumbai was expressed thoroughly well. Jigna Vora is a fighter and she has shown everyone how patience and self-confidence guides you through all difficulties in life. Everyone should read this book.

[R MANOJ KUMAR SINGHVI · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting book and unputdownable. The author tells her story very lucidly. Good entertaining read.

[Abbas Ali Mirza · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story of journalist jailed for 7 years in connection with J. Dey murder. It's an interesting book to read to how the system works and learn how innocent becomes a victim.

[Minesh Mehta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very touching story of Jigna Vora. This book is explaining how India system is working. It took almost 7 years to be free.
Good job done Karishma Tanna in the web series SCOOP

[Bodhisattwa Majumder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and scary. Reading pieces like these perhaps make us value our freedom we have.

[Syed Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow.. very interesting read...this story keeps engaging you till last..

Very good read

[Mohammed Abdulaleem]

I want to read

[Fatema Yahya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't imagine what Jignaji went through in jail.
Great book.

[Adorsho Pothik · Rating 4 out of 5]

first novel I finished reading in 3-4 days at a go. a hard hitting novel based on the real scenes in Indian media for the survival of a journalist! hats off to the author for having enough courage to publish her stories! this induces me to read more S Hussain Zaidi books in near future!

[Unni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling and realistic read, but the language was a bit too strong for my taste. I wish they had went lighter n that! -1 for that, otherwise a really good read!

My highlights from the books:

The court dates were a chance to step out of the stuffy barracks and breathe some fresh air. Each one of us in the jail awaited them. But the cops from the local arms unit of the Mumbai Police who were entrusted with the responsibility of accompanying the inmates from jail to court and back were least bothered. Working in the local arms unit was nothing but a punishment posting for these police officials. Seething in their own frustration, the cops were least interested in coordinating with jail authorities for court dates.

A journalist may think he or she is breaking a story, but the journalist is seldom aware of the hidden agenda behind it. Journalists are often used by cops, politicians, gangsters and film stars to propagate their agenda.

two days later, I received a text message from a senior IPS officer. Just two words: ‘Stay Strong.’

‘I’ve been arrested,’ I said in Gujarati. ‘They are going to produce me in court in a few hours. Need a lawyer.’
‘Heard about it,’ he said. ‘I’m trying to connect with senior advocate Mundargi.’
‘The media will be in full strength at the court,’ I said. ‘Tell my family not to turn up. They won’t be able to handle it.

All my colleagues from Asian Age were waiting in the courtroom. Murtuza was there too. Hussain Zaidi had tears in his eyes.
‘Sir!’ I screamed out. ‘See what they did to me!’
‘Keep calm,’ he said, trying to control his emotions.

Murtuza had engaged another senior advocate, Girish Kulkarni, for my case. Pin-drop silence fell upon the packed court as Kulkarni put forth a brilliant argument. He lambasted the investigation and submitted that there was no concrete ground for my arrest.

I also realized that the media was ruthless enough to relentlessly chase one of their own if it made prime-time news.

The next day, on Tuesday, my aged grandfather came to meet me at the Crime Branch. He was crying inconsolably and lamented that he was a simple man, with no political connections and no money.

Will life be the same again? I can’t tell. Can I go back to being the star reporter that I was? No. All this for a weak, malicious allegation that could not be proven. As I look back at the case, I still wonder why J. Dey was really murdered. Perhaps that will for ever remain a mystery.

[Pragati Prakash · Rating 5 out of 5]

After watching the series ‘Scoop’, I was intrigued to read the book. The book chronicles the life of the author, a crime journalist. Quite a famous one at the time. At the prime of her career, she gets falsely accused of aiding in the murder of renowned journalist Jyotirmoy Dey.

She, Jigna Vora, spends the next seven years of her life fighting for justice, to live a life of dignity. From being an esteemed crime journalist to learning to survive in jail.

Life can change in the blink of an eye, especially, if the system is against you. Overall, a quick read and gives a detailed account of the happenings of the case in question.

[Ann michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it and will read again

Liked every chapter and narrative way, but expected to know what is author doing now.
Truly additive and was glued to read every chapter to know what is next
Loved it and recommend as well