By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Aloke Lal, a retired IPS officer and former Director General of Police, Uttarakhand, is regarded as one of the most distinguished and upright police officers of his time. During his years of service in undivided UP, he earned wide respect for his decisive crackdown on narcotics networks in Barabanki, once considered a major hub of drug trafficking in North India. Beyond policing, he has established himself as a prolific writer, authoring several books based on real-life crime investigations and policing experiences, some of which have been co-authored with his son, Maanas Lal. A man of many creative pursuits, he is also an avid painter, an enthusiastic photographer and a keen singer. Currently serving as the Director of the Dehradun Crime Literature Festival, he spoke to Garhwal Post about the festival. Some excerpts:
The Crime Literature Festival has grown in stature since its launch and is now in its third edition. What key learnings from previous editions have shaped the design and programming of this year’s festival to be held at Hotel Hyatt Centric?
Each edition of the festival has shown us that audiences value depth, clarity and real investigative insight. We have learnt to design sessions that move beyond anecdotes and offer structured understanding of crime, procedure and consequence. This year’s festival at Hyatt Centric reflects these learnings through sharper curation, stronger thematic clusters and more interactive formats. We are prioritising balanced perspectives, timely subjects and conversations that genuinely bridge practitioner experience with public curiosity and civic relevance.
What will be the focus theme at the upcoming Crime Literature Festival this year?
The theme this year, ‘Crime doesn’t pay. Crime stories do,’ underscores how compelling narratives can serve as powerful tools for crime prevention and public awareness. By unpacking real cases, investigative methods and ethical dilemmas, the festival encourages audiences to understand how crime unfolds, and how it can be deterred. Our sessions emphasise informed citizenship, digital vigilance and responsible storytelling.
(From left): Navneet Oberoi, Maanas Lal, Praveen Chandhok, Randhir Arora, and Siddhant Arora.
These CLFI team members are but five of the many who have worked day and night to bring the Festival’s season-3 to
fruition.
Pics: Bhumesh Bharti.
Writers and the participants attending previous editions appreciated the platform for discussing real-life cases, investigative challenges and ethical dilemmas of the officers. What new authors, sessions or thematic discussions can audiences expect this year?
This year’s festival brings an expanded and exciting lineup that blends literary voices with real investigative experience. Legendary Mumbai Police officer Madhukar Zende, renowned for twice capturing Charles Sobhraj and leading major underworld arrests, will share rare insights from his remarkable career. Dr Rajesh Mohan, IPS, a doctor-turned police officer who joined the service in 2020, represents a new generation of ethically driven, reform-minded officers. Writers such as Kulpreet Yadav and Amit Khan, filmmaker Ketan Mehta, and YouTuber Shashwat Bajpai add perspectives from fiction, cinema and digital crime reportage. A special highlight features Harry Paintal, who reinterprets the Mahabharata as a crime epic through the book The Oath of Shakuni, authored by his father, the legendary Gufi Paintal. Alongside sessions on forensic breakthroughs, behavioural crime, cyber-enabled offences and ethical storytelling, this edition introduces emerging voices who are pushing the boundaries of contemporary crime narratives, making the programme richer, more diverse and deeply relevant.
Crime writing in India appears to be moving towards greater procedural accuracy and psychological depth. As a former DGP and author, what trends do you observe in contemporary Indian crime literature, and how is the festival encouraging these evolving narratives?
Indian crime writing today is increasingly focused on procedural accuracy, psychological depth and real investigative detail. Writers are exploring forensic methods, legal nuances and ethical dilemmas with far greater rigour. Having moved from policing to writing, I see these shifts as both necessary and encouraging. The festival nurtures such narratives through conversations between practitioners and authors. Even my latest book ‘Mission Saudi’ reflects this approach, grounded in research, demonstrating how authentic storytelling can engage readers while bringing out deeper truths about crime.
Earlier editions of the festival highlighted concerns related to cybercrime, narcotics and financial frauds. How is the 2024–25 edition addressing the emerging crime landscape, especially newer threats such as deepfake misuse and AI-enabled frauds?
Our 2024–25 edition gives special importance to the new crime landscape shaped by technology: deepfake misuse, AI-enabled frauds, cyberstalking and digital impersonation. A key session brings together cyber-crime veterans and media analysts, including Dr Rakshit Tandon, known for decades of work in cyber-forensics and ethical hacking; Ankush Mishra, an award-winning cyber-crime officer experienced in tackling financial-cyber cases; and Mitali Chandola, a seasoned journalist focusing on internal security and cyber intelligence. Their insights will help decode how these modern threats operate, the investigative challenges they pose and how citizens can remain vigilant.
One takeaway from past years has been the festival’s emphasis on bridging the gap between policing and public understanding of crime. How effectively do you feel literature and public dialogue can contribute to crime prevention, awareness and civic participation?
Crime may not pay, but understanding it does. The festival turns police procedure into story, and stories into awareness. We give the public a front-row seat to policing, making civic vigilance smarter, sharper and far more engaging than any crime thriller. Knowledge becomes the ultimate crime-fighting tool.
You are a prolific writer who has authored books based on real-life crime and narcotics cases. Will you be launching any new book at this year’s Lit Fest?
I am delighted that this year we will showcase ‘Mission Saudi’, written in collaboration with Maanas Lal and published by Rupa. The book chronicles India’s first-ever extradition of a rape accused from Saudi Arabia, detailing the complex investigation, cross-border legal challenges and the interplay of crime, diplomacy and justice. Beyond being a gripping real-life narrative, it is also being adapted for the screen, bringing the story to a wider audience and highlighting the intricacies of modern investigative work.
Uttarakhand has its own distinct crime profile due to tourism, terrain and demography. Will this edition shed light on crime patterns specific to the state, and how will these discussions enrich the broader national discourse on policing?
Uttarakhand’s unique crime patterns demand insights rooted in local reality. This year’s festival features voices such as Anil Raturi, Abhinav Kumar, Shweta Choubey and Ajai Singh; social activist Anoop Nautiyal; educationists Jyotsna Brar and Sangeeta Kain; and journalist Satish Sharma — among many others from the state. Their perspectives span policing, media, civic activism and youth safety. With its deep regional presence, Garhwal Post makes a natural media partner, strengthening the festival’s engagement with local communities.
