Stop, stop, stop.
Pull over.
Why are these people here? Make them leave.
Stop right there.
Sachin.
Step back.
Step back, step back, step back.
Step aside, move.
Don't come forward. Step back.
Stay back.
Back up, back up.
Back.
Come on, stay back.
Back.
Stay here.
Don't go ahead.
Excuse me.
Hello, sir?
I... have an update from the party.
We've found a body.
You stay with Mukul,
and send the parents over
for body identification.
This is murder.
Call the forensics team.
Until we know otherwise, the boy is a suspect.
Right, sir.
-Step aside, please. -Step aside!
Please, please, move.
-Madam, please step aside. -Move!
Excuse me, excuse me...
Move!
Calm down.
Come with me.
Relax.
Please help us identify the body.
Come.
No. This...
this is not Zara.
Inspector... this is not Zara.
Let's go.
Let's go find Zara, Avantika. Let's go.
Avantika, let's go find Zara!
This is not Zara.
This is not Zara!
THIS IS NOT FUCKING ZARA!
NEERAJ!
-This is not Zara! -This is Zara!
This is Zara, Neeraj!
-This is not Zara. -This is Zara!
Neeraj!
Mukul.
Start from the top.
What happened last night?
What time did you return?
Did you really come back alone?
Gauri ma'am?
What?
Hello, sir?
The brother is a minor.
17 years old.
Call the juvenile unit immediately.
Right, sir.
We have breaking news from Mumbai.
The child artist who plays Bittu in Bittu, Ghar Ka Chirag,
Zara Ahuja, was found dead at Madh Island.
The actress who plays Bittu in the show Bittu, Ghar Ka Chirag,
Zara Ahuja is no more.
For more updates on the incident, we will be joined by...
Poor child.
These days these incidents are happening too often, aren't they?
Avinash, what's the update?
It's murder.
How do you know?
After mentioning she was found dead, she didn't use words like "accident,"
"conspiracy" or "suicide."
100% it's murder.
According to our sources, it happened late last night.
Maybe?
Mr. Mishra, for the first time, I'm hoping you are proved wrong.
Just you watch, now it's party time for the media.
Oi! A child just died and you care more about who's partying.
Now they'll play this on loop day in and day out,
and you will keep watching it.
On TV, the Internet and social media.
This is all that'll play.
-Uncle? -Hmm?
-...was found dead in Madh Island. -That's Bittu.
The actress who plays Bittu in Bittu, Ghar Ka Chirag...
-What happened to her? -Oh...
-You change the channel. -Okay.
You woke up early!
Come, let me give you some milk.
Didi,
Didi, put the news on. Bittu's dead!
Hey...
No, no, no, don't cry.
Come with me.
So strange you are.
Out of this world.
The "no exchange, no guarantee" kind.
Mom?
Is it true?
Murder,
using acid.
Sir.
CCTV footage.
Mukul looked us in the eyes and lied.
I have recorded statements of all the guests.
Have sent it to the station for transcription.
Sir, I found something interesting.
Hmm?
This is Neeraj and Avantika's second marriage.
Mukul is Avantika's son from her first marriage.
And Zara is Neeraj's daughter from his first marriage.
And...
how long have Neeraj and Avantika been married?
About four years.
Where's the forensics team?
I'll check, sir.
Sir.
Gauri?
What's bothering you?
Are you okay?
Juvenile cases...
I don't like them, sir.
No one likes them.
It pisses the public off.
You know why?
Because society sees its own failure in a child's death.
-JUI is here. -Hmm.
Record their statements.
But keep an eye on Mukul.
Yes, sir.
You know what I am saying.
Right, sir.
I am Sub-Inspector Umesh Bhade from Juvenile Unit of India.
She's my colleague, social worker Nikita Jain.
Mukul, we will ask you a couple of questions.
We will be recording this conversation, okay?
Gauri?
Mukul...
you left at 12:15 a.m. from here
and returned at 2:37 a.m.
What did you do during that time?
Where were you?
Eyewitnesses recalled you fighting with Zara at the party.
Did she push you into the pool?
After that, did you threaten to kill her?
Hang on a second, ma'am.
What are you trying to say?
I am not making any accusations, ma'am.
I am just repeating what we found out.
In fact, we are giving Mukul a chance to clarify everything.
Okay, but my son--
Mukul, in your statement you said
that you left the party and returned alone.
And the last time you saw Zara was at the party.
Am I right?
Answer him, Mukul.
Am I right?
Speak up, Mukul.
Gauri.
Show it to them.
What?
Why... why are you lying, son?
Tell them.
Guests from the party told us
that Mukul publicly threatened to kill Zara.
Then around 1:45 a.m.,
Mukul was caught on CCTV dragging Zara towards the car.
What is the truth, Mukul?
Please, honey...
That's not exactly what happened.
I can explain.
When I saw Zara at the party...
I was surprised.
What are you doing here?
It was really not her crowd,
and she just looked a little bit off.
Off? What do you mean?
Her eyes...
I wasn't sure whether
she was drunk or...
high.
And anyway...
Immediately...
...you like to ruin my plans.
...I tried to make her drink some water.
Zara... have this.
-Have this. -No! Mukul!
Stop it! You drink.
But she pushed me away,
and I fell into the pool.
I was...
I was completely wet.
Everyone was laughing at me.
I got angry.
I was just trying to help her,
but she wasn't getting it.
She was starting to get high.
High on what?
Alcohol? Weed, hashish? Hard drugs?
What exactly?
I don't know,
but
it seemed stronger than alcohol or weed.
How do you know? Have you tried drugs?
Yes.
Mukul, did you take drugs last night?
Don't lie, we'll be testing you.
Yes.
Then what happened?
I...
was completely drenched.
And my phone was soaked too.
After all that, when I came out,
I saw Zara.
She couldn't even stand straight. She was that high.
Okay, take it easy.
Oh... Okay, I'm...
It's fine. Take it easy. Whoa!
So that's why I literally had to drag her.
She wasn't in her senses.
I couldn't have left her with strangers.
But Zara didn't make it back.
I was bringing her back in the car,
but then she puked.
I didn't want to create a scene this late in the night,
so I took her to the beach.
Zara, just... Damn it, Zara!
There was an abandoned bungalow there,
which I had seen in the morning
I...
I went there to get some water,
because I'd noticed a dripping tap there.
Hello. Nishi, I'm so sorry. My phone conked off.
How long could I have waited?
So I made other plans.
Hello? Fuck, this is such a mess!
By then Zara looked...
a little better.
She was high, but in a good way.
You know what I mean?
Zara wanted to go back to the party,
but I was done.
I was done with her.
That's it!
I noticed the keys in her bag.
I took her bag and left.
She wasn't listening,
and the bungalow was close by.
It was a five-minute walk.
I told her I am taking the keys,
and I'll lock the doors if she doesn't show up in 5 minutes.
I heard the sound of the door shut, so...
I thought she came back.
What sound?
I don't know about that.
I swear I heard the door shut.
That was me.
Some noise woke me up.
When I came downstairs I found the door ajar.
I closed it and went back to sleep.
-Sir. -Hmm?
We found these in Mukul's duffle bag,
which was in his shoe rack.
What do you have to say about this?
It's not mine.
Take his fingerprints, blood samples and the works.
Wait,
only collect the evidence you find here.
You'll need a warrant for the rest as Mukul is a juvenile.
We'll also need a warrant to search the house.
We know the drill.
Thank you.
Send them home for now,
but let them know they can be called in for questioning anytime.
Yes.
But nothing else leaves the house.
Not a single thing.
And make sure the constables stay away from their phones.
-Yes, sir. -Hmm.
Gauri?
We'll arrest him only after getting the forensic report
so that he doesn't get bail.
Right, sir.
Hey! What are you doing?
I am setting up my parlour.
Huh?
Here?
I'm leaving that parlour job.
Why? Why are you leaving?
Nancy madam just signed a contract with a brand.
Now we will have to force their products down our clients.
Ask how?
How?
By making them feel that their skin is bad,
hair is dry and thin,
and they need to look more beautiful.
How...
Put your feet down.
Ladies come to parlours to feel good, right?
That's why I liked this job.
But now...
it's not the same.
But here?
I too...
I also adjust, don't I?
It's time for you to adjust now.
My life's already an adjustment.
Stop mumbling.
You don't look sexy.
Really? Can you call a carpenter?
I need some nails drilled in the wall.
Why a carpenter? I'll drill them for you.
-You? -Yes.
I am a lawyer! I can drill witnesses as well as nails.
Tell me where
I'll drill it right now.
Tell me where.
Right above that certificate.
Not above, but right next to it.
Why don't you message on the building's group?
They might think it's something else.
What will they think? Just do it.
Message them.
-Cameraman... -They are here. They are here.
How did Zara die?
As you can see, Zara's family is back.
Sir! Sir! Sir! How did Zara die?
How did Zara die?
The body was also found wrapped in a similar tarpaulin.
What is this?
The stench.
It's acid.
Shinde.
Bag it.
Sachin.
Yes, sir.
This is the crime scene.
-Sir. -Seal this place off.
Many celebrity kids attended the party.
Did their parents know where their children were
and what they were doing?
Allegedly, acid was thrown on Zara's face to kill her.
Our sources close to the police
and eyewitnesses have revealed that her body was--
How does it matter, Dad?
I'm just doing my own thing.
You must have done the same when you were my age.
I did my duty,
and helped my father build a business,
his trust, his legacy.
You are too bright for a government job.
Why did you go to England to study if this is what you wanted to do?
You sent me to England.
It was your choice.
Dad, please, this is my job.
You have to make peace with it.
Okay.
Government servant.
It's not a curse, Dad.
What I'm saying is that you don't need to do all this.
You have so many options.
Dad, please,
we have already had this argument.
We've gone over it like a hundred times.
I am done.
My "government job" awaits me. I need to go.
Thanks for the ride.
Let's go, driver.
-Zara Ahuja was killed in an acid attack. -What do you think?
Seems personal.
Not the result of an altercation or random hostility.
The way she was killed means...
deep hatred.
Hmm. I agree.
The case is yours.
Go make us proud.
Sir, if I may ask,
why did you choose me?
I mean, I am a newbie.
You don't want it?
It's a big case.
A complicated one.
It requires a sharp lawyer.
-But if you're not interested-- -No, I didn't mean that.
Thank you.
Thank you for considering me, sir.
Don't thank me.
And I hope you won't have to apologise either.
I won't let you down, sir.
Good luck.
Hey.
Come.
How are Mukul and Neeraj doing?
Neeraj...
is in his room. He hasn't come out since morning.
Mukul is extremely troubled.
This kind of incident is difficult to process.
Thanks for coming.
I don't know what to do.
Mukul has started using again.
Police are suspecting him, Arvind.
-Why? -Papa!
I don't know.
Mukul!
Oh...
Hey, my son.
So happy to see you.
Don't worry, everything will be fine.
Neeraj.
Neeraj, I am so sorry...
Neetu, irrespective of whether they have any updates or not,
I want meetings with the police
and the investigating officer through this week.
-Yes, ma'am. -And I need full history on that boy.
What's his name? Mukul?
His family, his background,
school, college, friends, girlfriend, everything.
I need to know I am charging the right boy, okay?
-Okay, ma'am. -Come on.
I know tough times, son,
but you have nothing to fear.
You also think I did it?
No.
No way.
I know my son, and I trust him.
Mukul...
Right now your mom and Neeraj
are upset and sad too.
And as family, you guys have to support each other.
Don't take anything they say to your heart.
Okay?
Here's the pen drive.
- Mukul's phone data? -Yes, ma'am.
Let's check this.
"Hi, I am Bittu. I am strong and competent.
"I am not scared of anyone."
-What else? What else? -Stop it, Dad.
-Bonehead or something? -"Her imagination is her strength."
"Her imagination is her biggest strength, bonehead."
No. "Got it, dimwit?"
"Got it, dimwit." Really?
Ta-dah.
-Ta-dah...ta-dah. -Mom, what's happening?
Ta-dah!
Wow!
What is all this?
Not just the jury members,
but your fans too love you,
because they know our daughter is a superstar.
All these bouquets are for you.
Dad, it's just a Best Newcomer Award.
Everyone gets one these days.
This is just the beginning.
Soon we'll fall short of space to keep your awards.
Until then, this special award gets a special place in our study.
Right there, with the flowers.
Yeah!
Go for it!
My first award!
And many more to come.
Aw!
Listen, I am feeling left out.
Come, come, come. Let's have a group hug.
My darling, sweetheart.
Both her hands and legs were trussed.
Acid was poured over her face
until she died.
Tortured to death.
Cause of death: neurogenic shock.
Time?
Between 2:00 to 5:00 a.m.
Can't you be more specific?
Her body was in the sea for too long.
It erased quite a few markers.
Anything else?
We found psychotropic drugs in her body.
Drugs?
Which ones?
We are awaiting the full toxicology report.
You'll find the details in it.
Sir, Mukul too thought
that Zara had drugs.
Will that report be able to tell when she consumed the drugs?
No.
It will only tell you which drug she took, not when.
Okay?
Thank you.
Only Mukul told us about the drugs.
No one else.
I think
Mukul is the one who gave drugs to Zara.
He's telling a tale to make sure we don't suspect him.
He drugged her and then...
This is horrific.
MUMBAI WOMEN'S PRISON
Your superintendent should keep a bench out here for the ones waiting.
There she is.
See.
New lackey?
No, he's Ratna's brother.
Oh.
Thank her for looking after Sahir.
I will, but why don't you look after him?
Why do you do things that put you behind bars again and again?
To be able to meet you.
Give her the bail bond.
Send it with the bill.
Which one? There are many pending.
Keep them. I'll clear them all together.
Times are tough. I am in a bad state.
Times are tough for everyone.
I'll pray for you.
Let's go.
You know Bittu from the show
Ghar ka Chirag. She popped.
It's okay. This keeps happening in soaps.
Let's go.
Mehman ji--
How many times have I told you
not to address me as Mehman ji at my workplace?
-But, brother-- -Don't get confused,
address me as "sir."
-Okay. -What?
-Sir. -Sir. Right.
Are you done?
I've been trying to tell you that it's wax and not tea.
It's for didi's parlour.
But at home...
It's your workplace as well...
sir.
Fine.
Now that you've called me sir,
make a nice cup of tea and give it to "Madhav sir" in the bedroom.
-Okay, sir. -Good.
We found photos of the crime scene in Mukul's phone,
taken that very morning.
Oh.
This has jerrycan too.
Did you find out?
Zara didn't receive any death threats.
-Okay. -Her parents confirmed that.
Anyone at the party with a possible motive?
Nothing suspicious.
Ma'am, everybody's alibi checks out.
Do we have any evidence
that proves Mukul and Zara were at the beach together?
-Yes. -We do?
Mukul used Zara's phone to call
and message his friend Nishi at 2:07 a.m.
Mukul's fingerprints match the ones on the jerrycan.
The packets of MDMA we found in his possession also have his fingerprints.
Mukul's fingerprints on the jerrycan makes it a plausible murder weapon.
-Right. -Yes, Ravi?
And this toxicology report proves that the drugs found in Zara's body
and the drugs found in Mukul's possession are the same.
And strangely, both contain markers of black pepper.
Black pepper?
Ravi, please forward this report to sir asap.
What is it?
It's a DNA match, sir.
The swab taken from the crime scene matches Zara's DNA.
Perfect.
Mukul is too smart.
As he gets new information, he changes his story.
That doesn't matter.
We have enough
to seek custody from the Juvenile Board.
Get a search warrant for his school lockers and his house.
Let's close all the gaps, and...
Let's get the boy.
Exactly.
What!
You...
Ma'am, can I ask why?
Neeraj?
Neeraj!
Police are coming to arrest Mukul.
We need to consult a lawyer immediately.
We have to know
what options Mukul has, right?
Neeraj!
All our money is blocked in the property deal.
I told you that.
We don't have money to pay a lawyer?
What the fuck are you talking about!
We need to figure out something.
We'll manage.
We'll do something; we'll manage.
Come on, let's go, Neeraj. Come.
Come, Neeraj!
Why are you still sitting there? Get up!
What is wrong with you?
What's gotten into you?
We've already lost our daughter.
Do you want to lose our son as well?
I don't know what you are doing, Neeraj.
I too don't know, Avantika.
Neither of us is thinking rationally.
Let the police do their job.
Maybe they know something that we don't.
Fine!
Mukul?
Hmm?
-Mukul, honey? -Hmm?
Please get up.
Get up, honey.
Please get up.
What?
In the middle of the night?
What?
Listen to me very carefully.
-Mukul, look at me. -Can't--
Don't be scared.
What?
Police will be detaining you.
I won't let them keep you for more than a night, okay?
-Okay, honey. Please. -No!
-No, no, no! -Please, you have to.
No, no, no!
Please listen to me.
Trust me.
You need to go with them.
I will go there with you.
Have faith.
I'll not let anything happen to you, okay?
We'll all be okay.
But you have to go with them now honey, please.
Ma'am, are you supporting the accused for Zara's murder?
Where is Zara's father?
Is there a conspiracy behind Zara's murder?
Answer me!
How long have you been planning her murder?
Answer me!
Stay tuned to our news channel...
Sir! Sir! Sir!
Step back. Step back.
Get aside.
Coming through, coming through, coming through.
Come. Close the gates.
Close it.
We'll get you the best lawyer, son.
You won't have to stay for more than a night here.
I promise you that.
Just for now, be my brave boy, okay?
Let's go?
Sir, please take care of him.
Don't worry.
Take care, son.
Ma'am,
please help us out.
We don't know anything. What is the procedure?
-How long will they keep Mukul in there? -Ma'am...
-We don't have any information. -Ma'am.
Mukul will be presented before the Juvenile Board tomorrow morning,
where we will apply for his custody.
If our application is approved,
Mukul will have to stay at the correctional home
until the charge sheet is filed.
And if our charge sheet is accepted,
then his trial will begin.
If it's not accepted, can we take him home?
-Ma'am... -Yes, ma'am?
Ma'am, there are high chances of our application being accepted.
-Hire a good lawyer. -Okay.
Apply for bail.
Okay.
-We're getting late. -Yeah.
Police just took a suspect into custody in the Zara murder case.
Zara was killed by one of her own.
What is this?
One of her own?
What's wrong with this world?
Forget the world, what is wrong with the media?
They shouldn't have shown the kid's face.
But it's good that they found the prime suspect.
This litti is delicious.
This too is the prime suspect of the day.
All of Neeraj's money is stuck in a land deal.
Who knew, Arvind?
Who knew we'd face such a day?
Don't worry.
Let me call my friends up.
We'll hire a good lawyer.
A good lawyer who is available tomorrow morning,
which means
he'll have to give us an appointment...
-Right away. -...right now.
Correct.
Sir, new admission.
Mukul.
-Name? -Mukul Ahuja.
Go, change.
Go.
Unfortunately, I cannot spare time for your case. Sorry.
Not keeping well. I've taken a break from work.
Yes, for Mukul.
Yes, it's urgent.
-Ask him to call me back. -Avantika ji.
Yes?
Okay.
Here are the details of a lawyer I know.
You can try your luck.
Is he good?
He is not bad at all,
but he is not fancy.
His fees?
Not fancy either.
Good luck.
-Thank you. -Thank you.
-Ravi. -I'll go meet him.
No.
You stay here.
What if Mukul needs anything?
I'll go meet the lawyer.
The news of Zara being killed
by her own family member
has shocked everyone.
Several popular television industry artists
have expressed their remorse on this incident
and demanded justice for Zara.
This celebrity murder case has shocked the nation.
Namaste.
I am Avantika Ahuja.
Who would have imagined such a turn of events?