The Literature Lounge
Episode #39
Netflix’s Black Warrant: Meet the Real Jailer Who Lived It
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About this Podcast:
In this gut-wrenching episode, meet Sunil Gupta, real life Tihar Jailer and Author of ‘Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer.’ He shares all his experiences about the brutal and gritty world of the infamous Indian prison that inspired a Netflix series.
Sunil describes the goings-on at Tihar Jail, and addresses the rumours of sexual assault and things being smuggled in. Witness to high-profile convicts like Afzal Guru, Manu Sharma, Charles Sobhraj, Maqbool Bhat, he gives an insider’s perspective on what these criminals were like. Also witness to all the hangings at Tihar Jail, he reveals surprising facts about these high-profile convicts that highlights their humanity.
He talks about reforming the prison system by introducing free legal aid for prisoners which went on to become a fundamental right in India. Sunil recounts how Tihar Jail was the first prison to begin video conferencing between the court and prisoners, among many other commendable reforms. When asked about his take on executions, he says he is against ‘faasi’ as in his opinion, only the poor are hanged. The rich get away with a lot.
He recalls how the staff at Tihar Jail handled Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal’s imprisonment, when the entire jail premises were surrounded by protestors. A jailer with a law degree, he asserts that he is not afraid of any backlash because he is only telling the truth. Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation.
Tune in to the Best Podcast in India and discover the untold truths of Tihar Jail. Listen now!
00:00 Introduction to Sunil Gupta and His Work
01:44 The Motivation Behind ‘Black Warrant’
03:24 Transitioning from Law to Prison Services
05:03 Influential Inmates: Charles Sobhraj and Manu Sharma
19:21 Afzal Guru: A Complex Relationship
28:10 The Challenges of the Indian Criminal Justice System
34:43 Reflections on Early Experiences in Law
37:46 Insights from Working with Death Row Prisoners
40:38 Handling High-Profile Prisoners
44:54 The Challenges of Managing Protests and Agitations
54:24 Addressing Sexual Violence and Health Issues in Prisons
57:39 Treatment of Transgender Inmates in Prisons
01:00:14 Legacy of Legal Reforms and Prison Management
01:06:05 Spirituality and Personal Commitment in Service
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Connect with Us
Mohua Chinappa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohua-chinappa/
The Literature Lounge: https://www.themohuashow.com/the-literature-lounge/
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Connect with the Guest
Sunil Gupta: https://www.instagram.com/sunillegal/
Book Link
Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer: https://www.amazon.in/Black-Warrant-Confessions-Tihar-Jailer/dp/8194206855
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Disclaimer
The views expressed by our guests are their own. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any views expressed by our guests on our podcast and its associated platforms.
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