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Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer
What is life like inside Asia’s largest prison? What happens when a man is hanged, but his pulse refuses to give up even after two hours? Did Nirbhaya’s rapist, Ram Singh, commit suicide or was he murdered? For the first time we have a riveting account from an insider who has spent close to four decades as an officer at Tihar Jail during some of the most turbulent times in Indian political history. For the first time he breaks his silence about all he’s seen – from the first man he met in Tihar, Charles Sobhraj, to the controversies surrounding former CBI head, Alok Verma. Responsible for carrying out ‘Black Warrants’, Gupta witnessed 14 hangings, the most recent and his last, being that of Afzal Guru. Joining him is award-winning journalist Sunetra Choudhury whose recent book Behind Bars is a bestseller and took her deep inside the maze of prisons. Read this book for the most intimate and raw account of India’s judicial and criminal justice system.
210 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2025
296 people are currently reading
3436 people want to read
About the author
Sunil Gupta
133 books13 followersIndia's best-known working photographer, Gupta is also a well-known artist, curator, and writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
November 6, 2020
This book is an attempt to bring out what goes behind the walls of Tihar Jail. Tihar has been in the news many a time because of the high profile criminals lodged there. It is considered as one of the most developed prisons in Asia aside from being the largest. I am sure most of us have always wondered what has led to its fame. This book, written by the former jailor Sunil Kumar Gupta and journalist Sunetra Choudhury, gives us a glimpse of the rules, both written and unwritten, prevalent in Tihar. We get to know the psyche and the behaviour of dreaded criminals like Billa and Ranga, Charles Sobhraj, Maqbool Butt and Afzal Guru, Nirbhaya rapist Ram Singh, Indira Gandhi killers Satwant and Kehar Singh, Jessica Lall killer Manu Sharma et al. How many of us knew that Manu Sharma was responsible for TJs, the food brand from Tihar? Or the circumstances leading to biscuit baron Rajan Pillai's death which was sheer negligence and apathy? Such anecdotes are abundant here and attempt to humanise the prisoners.
The author has spent 35 years in Tihar jail and does justice to the book. He is now an advocate fighting for prisoners' rights in his second innings which is very apt considering he has the first-hand experience of prisoners' plight, most of them poor and comfortable with the fact that they are getting three square meals a day, preferring to be inside rather than outside the jail.
The author has spent 35 years in Tihar jail and does justice to the book. He is now an advocate fighting for prisoners' rights in his second innings which is very apt considering he has the first-hand experience of prisoners' plight, most of them poor and comfortable with the fact that they are getting three square meals a day, preferring to be inside rather than outside the jail.
December 4, 2019
It is very rare that we get insights of private places such as these! Tihar Jail is one such secluded place!
The author beautifully recounts his 3 decades of work where major convicts of the nation received black warrants or death penalties.
I absolutely loved how he had not shied away from facts to become politically correct or diplomatic. Facts were presented as facts.
A lot of places we are left with dilemma on how to react to the actions on these criminals, whether to be ruthless and be happy about their punishment or to be emphathetic to them.
This is a book that I would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for an interesting insight into one of the biggest jails!
The author beautifully recounts his 3 decades of work where major convicts of the nation received black warrants or death penalties.
I absolutely loved how he had not shied away from facts to become politically correct or diplomatic. Facts were presented as facts.
A lot of places we are left with dilemma on how to react to the actions on these criminals, whether to be ruthless and be happy about their punishment or to be emphathetic to them.
This is a book that I would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for an interesting insight into one of the biggest jails!
October 9, 2020
should be titled black warrant: the humblebrag of a tihar jailer.
spends more time obsessing over how "not like other jailers" Sunil (I refuse to add Ji) is, and how special and educated and rich he is and how special and educated and rich his prisoners are rather than.. giving information. or saying anything of value. how do you take a topic as sensitive as the most high profile executions of a country and turn it into 200 page long instagram caption of a man just trying to say 'listen, I know I'm in tihar, but I have a degree so it's ironic and a choice. I'm better than this place. also i will show off "my prisoners" like they're prized animals in a zoo that I sometimes I have to kill rather than actual people'.
spends more time obsessing over how "not like other jailers" Sunil (I refuse to add Ji) is, and how special and educated and rich he is and how special and educated and rich his prisoners are rather than.. giving information. or saying anything of value. how do you take a topic as sensitive as the most high profile executions of a country and turn it into 200 page long instagram caption of a man just trying to say 'listen, I know I'm in tihar, but I have a degree so it's ironic and a choice. I'm better than this place. also i will show off "my prisoners" like they're prized animals in a zoo that I sometimes I have to kill rather than actual people'.
December 7, 2019
http://drficticity.home.blog/2019/12/...
BLACK WARRANT
Hours before he was to be hanged till death, he was sipping tea. And then he started singing from the 1960’s movie Badal, “Apne liye jiye to kya jiye, tu ji ae dil zamane ke liye.” A few officials of Tihar jail, tasked with carrying out the hanging, sang along.
He then demanded another cup of tea. The man, who served tea in the prison, had left and Afzal Guru, convicted in the 2001 Parliament attack, went to the gallows without his last wish fulfilled – a cup of tea.

Triggered? Proceed with caution but if you are in to it I have got a pretty good book recommendation for you .
Black Warrant
Authors – Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury
Genre – Non fiction /memoir
Publisher – Roli Books
Pages – 178

Tihar is a maximum security prison, currently housing over 10K inmates,also it is the largest complex of prisons in South Asia. Styled as correctional facility it is famous for the rehabilitation of the inmates as on completing their sentence the prisoners can appear for the placements as well as higher studies as much as it is famous for its ‘famous inmates’ including Kanhaiya Kumar, Lalu Yadav,chhota Rajan, Charles Shobraj and the author was it’s jailer for 35 years and so ofcourse he’s got stories to tell and this got me very intrigued from the introduction only.
Food made by inmates of Tihar Jail
Many of the Convicts discussed in the book are people and cases we have followed via news outlets but once a convict is sent to jail, nobody think much about the case, because most of the people don’t know what goes behind the bar.

The jail food,the beatings the subhuman living conditions are a few things that I have seen in movies and pop culture, and once in a while we get the news that a mobile phone or a television is found from an inmates belonging but rather than that jail is not a place alot of people know about and I don’t think alot of people would like to know to be honest.

The book starts up with a map to explain the layout of the prison and a hierarchy chart. The story opens up in 1981, when a young man (our author) resigns from his railway job and reports to his new job at Tihar.As it all unfolds the book does a good job at humanizing the inmates and also the jail staff. Sunil also addressed the personal problems he faced because of being in such an unconventional job,& the impact this unusual job had on Sunil and his the family, as he lived with his wife and kids in the Jail complex.

Also the book has some funny moments that sound straight out of a movie screen like how once an inmate dosed off a officer while giving massages and walked off straight from the gate in his uniform to the infamous jail break by Charles Shobraj to bizzare incidents like the once in 1980s, over a hundred, walked out of the prison with the visitors, without being stopped at the gates because they had managed to copy on their own the seals that are marked on visitors’ hands ( saay whaat)
The book also has a lot of things that could be controversial like the accounts of corruption by officers and the power of money even behind bars. What I really liked here is the authors honesty, and the ability of the narration to humanize the inmates and the jail staff. They have also penned down accounts of the eight death sentences which were executed in his watch in Tihar Jail (I said proceed with caution in the beginning) including that of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat.

This book would have been a bummer if he’d say it’s all good and disciplined, but they don’t, infact they accepts how difficult it is to change things, the omnipresent corruption in the hierarchy of inmates, jail staffs and police and how do the rich and powerful manage to get a decent life even behind bars.

Also it gave a different spin to many headlines as they turn in to real life work place situations for the staff at Tihar like when Anna Hazare was arrested from Ram-Leela Maidan.

Also I learnt a bunch of things like there is a free jail system,in which you can go out of jail for the day and comeback in the evening,manu Sharma (Jessica Lal case) use it to run his business and once a big business man converted his cell into his office.Also there strories of Charles Shobraj and Ranga-Billa who have kind of acquired a status of Urban’s legends

So if you have made it up till here on my blog post and you want to know more about Tihar,go ahead you’ll definitely like the book, it’s much better written than this article I promise.
BLACK WARRANT
Hours before he was to be hanged till death, he was sipping tea. And then he started singing from the 1960’s movie Badal, “Apne liye jiye to kya jiye, tu ji ae dil zamane ke liye.” A few officials of Tihar jail, tasked with carrying out the hanging, sang along.
He then demanded another cup of tea. The man, who served tea in the prison, had left and Afzal Guru, convicted in the 2001 Parliament attack, went to the gallows without his last wish fulfilled – a cup of tea.

Triggered? Proceed with caution but if you are in to it I have got a pretty good book recommendation for you .
Black Warrant
Authors – Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury
Genre – Non fiction /memoir
Publisher – Roli Books
Pages – 178

Tihar is a maximum security prison, currently housing over 10K inmates,also it is the largest complex of prisons in South Asia. Styled as correctional facility it is famous for the rehabilitation of the inmates as on completing their sentence the prisoners can appear for the placements as well as higher studies as much as it is famous for its ‘famous inmates’ including Kanhaiya Kumar, Lalu Yadav,chhota Rajan, Charles Shobraj and the author was it’s jailer for 35 years and so ofcourse he’s got stories to tell and this got me very intrigued from the introduction only.
Food made by inmates of Tihar Jail
Many of the Convicts discussed in the book are people and cases we have followed via news outlets but once a convict is sent to jail, nobody think much about the case, because most of the people don’t know what goes behind the bar.

The jail food,the beatings the subhuman living conditions are a few things that I have seen in movies and pop culture, and once in a while we get the news that a mobile phone or a television is found from an inmates belonging but rather than that jail is not a place alot of people know about and I don’t think alot of people would like to know to be honest.

The book starts up with a map to explain the layout of the prison and a hierarchy chart. The story opens up in 1981, when a young man (our author) resigns from his railway job and reports to his new job at Tihar.As it all unfolds the book does a good job at humanizing the inmates and also the jail staff. Sunil also addressed the personal problems he faced because of being in such an unconventional job,& the impact this unusual job had on Sunil and his the family, as he lived with his wife and kids in the Jail complex.

Also the book has some funny moments that sound straight out of a movie screen like how once an inmate dosed off a officer while giving massages and walked off straight from the gate in his uniform to the infamous jail break by Charles Shobraj to bizzare incidents like the once in 1980s, over a hundred, walked out of the prison with the visitors, without being stopped at the gates because they had managed to copy on their own the seals that are marked on visitors’ hands ( saay whaat)
The book also has a lot of things that could be controversial like the accounts of corruption by officers and the power of money even behind bars. What I really liked here is the authors honesty, and the ability of the narration to humanize the inmates and the jail staff. They have also penned down accounts of the eight death sentences which were executed in his watch in Tihar Jail (I said proceed with caution in the beginning) including that of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat.

This book would have been a bummer if he’d say it’s all good and disciplined, but they don’t, infact they accepts how difficult it is to change things, the omnipresent corruption in the hierarchy of inmates, jail staffs and police and how do the rich and powerful manage to get a decent life even behind bars.

Also it gave a different spin to many headlines as they turn in to real life work place situations for the staff at Tihar like when Anna Hazare was arrested from Ram-Leela Maidan.

Also I learnt a bunch of things like there is a free jail system,in which you can go out of jail for the day and comeback in the evening,manu Sharma (Jessica Lal case) use it to run his business and once a big business man converted his cell into his office.Also there strories of Charles Shobraj and Ranga-Billa who have kind of acquired a status of Urban’s legends

So if you have made it up till here on my blog post and you want to know more about Tihar,go ahead you’ll definitely like the book, it’s much better written than this article I promise.
March 4, 2021
It's a racy, reveal all read on Tihar and the legal system related to prisons in India. Coming from Superintendent of Tihar, Sunil Gupta, the book gets much credence.
Gupta tells how rules are not universal in Tihar and vary for those who are connected or can afford to pay. He narrates the favourite treatment to many including the likes of Charles Shobhraj, Rajendra Sethia, Manu Sharma, RK Sharma, Sahara Shri, biscuit baron Rajan Pillai, industrialist LM Thapar, etc. Those who can afford to pay get all in Tihar. He has also named officers including the good ones like Kiran Bedi. Evil realities like custodial deaths, extortion, drug racket, jail networks etc. have also been discussed. Visit of notables to Tihar as prisoners - Vijayaraje Scindia, Nanaji Deshmukh, Charan Singh, Arun Jaitley, George Fernandes, Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal, etc. has also been recorded.
The author has discussed the 'Anatomy of a Hanging' and described in detail the procedures, the job of the hangmen, the mock run, the attendees etc. He also speaks how some like Maqbool Butt and Afzal Guru were totally unfazed at hanging while others like Billa (of infamous Ranga-Billa case) totally freaked out in fear at the gallows.
He also speaks of how society judges those working at prisons and how their families and social life gets affected because of this. There is a chapter called ' The Loneliness of a Jailer'.
The beauty of the book in in the candid, bare-all description of the brazen corruption at Tihar abetted by the jail staff, top bosses and high offices. In that sense, it is an insider's account, an eye-opener, a really good one at that and a rarity.
जिस धज से कोई मकतल में गया, वो शान सलामत रहती है
ये जान तो आनी जानी है, इस जान की कोई बात नहीं।
Gupta tells how rules are not universal in Tihar and vary for those who are connected or can afford to pay. He narrates the favourite treatment to many including the likes of Charles Shobhraj, Rajendra Sethia, Manu Sharma, RK Sharma, Sahara Shri, biscuit baron Rajan Pillai, industrialist LM Thapar, etc. Those who can afford to pay get all in Tihar. He has also named officers including the good ones like Kiran Bedi. Evil realities like custodial deaths, extortion, drug racket, jail networks etc. have also been discussed. Visit of notables to Tihar as prisoners - Vijayaraje Scindia, Nanaji Deshmukh, Charan Singh, Arun Jaitley, George Fernandes, Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal, etc. has also been recorded.
The author has discussed the 'Anatomy of a Hanging' and described in detail the procedures, the job of the hangmen, the mock run, the attendees etc. He also speaks how some like Maqbool Butt and Afzal Guru were totally unfazed at hanging while others like Billa (of infamous Ranga-Billa case) totally freaked out in fear at the gallows.
He also speaks of how society judges those working at prisons and how their families and social life gets affected because of this. There is a chapter called ' The Loneliness of a Jailer'.
The beauty of the book in in the candid, bare-all description of the brazen corruption at Tihar abetted by the jail staff, top bosses and high offices. In that sense, it is an insider's account, an eye-opener, a really good one at that and a rarity.
जिस धज से कोई मकतल में गया, वो शान सलामत रहती है
ये जान तो आनी जानी है, इस जान की कोई बात नहीं।
January 12, 2020
There are very few books written about jails.Almost all of those books are those written by prisoners.But,this is one of a kind.Its the story of Tihar prison of New Delhi from 1970s to 2010s from the eyes of a jailor.Narrated beautifully,using simple words,its an easy read as well.
Finally, is it a perfect book?
No
But its one of a kind book where Tihar is seen by the eyes of a jailer.I recommend it to all.
Finally, is it a perfect book?
No
But its one of a kind book where Tihar is seen by the eyes of a jailer.I recommend it to all.
August 12, 2020
Several years ago (2003, I think), I organised an eye screening camp at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru. We ran this in partnership with the most affable Dr Narpat Solanki and involved our NCC cadets and NSS volunteers from Jain College. During the camp in the prison hospital, we came across several types of people - convicts, under trials, and staff from all backgrounds. Visit of one particular gentleman stands out. It was post-lunch and we were to end the camp in an hour or so. We were told to expect an important visitor - ಸಾಹೇಬ್ರು ಬರ್ತಾರೆ. I assumed it would be the Prison Superintendent. Suddenly there was some commotion and a gentleman in a silk kurta pyjama was escorted in by the jail wardens and few others. I guided him to the registration counter when an enthusiastic staff whipped out the registration form from his person saying “Sir, I have already filled it.” He was smiling all along, shook hands with many of us and left the camp after ascertaining he had good sight. He was Abdul Karim Telgi of the stamp paper scam fame. He very clearly enjoyed a VIP status and the staff was only too eager to keep him happy. He also had a couple of young boys as his assistants. I am narrating this because I just finished reading a book titled *Black Warrant* (Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury) which instantly brought back memories of our limited time inside the Central Prison in Bengaluru.
Written in the first person, the book provides an inside account of some famous prisoners and executions (hence the name Black Warrant) - Charles Sobhraj, Afzal Guru, Manu Sharma, and many more. Gupta retired in 2016 as the Legal Officer of Tihar Jail and has seen the underbelly of India’s most populous prison inside out. It also talks of the unholy nexus that favours the rich and famous even when they are serving time.
Finally, it reminds us of another important reform agenda for India - that of our prison system.
Written in the first person, the book provides an inside account of some famous prisoners and executions (hence the name Black Warrant) - Charles Sobhraj, Afzal Guru, Manu Sharma, and many more. Gupta retired in 2016 as the Legal Officer of Tihar Jail and has seen the underbelly of India’s most populous prison inside out. It also talks of the unholy nexus that favours the rich and famous even when they are serving time.
Finally, it reminds us of another important reform agenda for India - that of our prison system.
November 28, 2019
Slightly confused between wanting to give the book 3 stars or 4 stars. This book can be termed as a quick and easy read, with a lot of masala to keep you hooked.
Sunil Gupta, former jailer at Tihar, teams up with renowned journalist, Sunetra Chowdhary, to bring to us an exposé about the proper (or improper) functioning of Tihar jail. From accounts of Charles Sobhraj to whether the hanging of Ram Singh (of Nirbhaya fame) was a suicide or murder, Gupta has bared it all for you.
I must say that I was truly touched with his rendition of Muqbool Butt (Kashmiri separatist) and Afzal Guru (2001 Indian Parliament attack) stories about their life in jail. Also, though I am aware of the clout rich people have, I was definitely astounded by their ease in using the state machinery and the compliance of authorities in the same.
If you’re looking for a gripping novel, this would be the definite pick.
Sunil Gupta, former jailer at Tihar, teams up with renowned journalist, Sunetra Chowdhary, to bring to us an exposé about the proper (or improper) functioning of Tihar jail. From accounts of Charles Sobhraj to whether the hanging of Ram Singh (of Nirbhaya fame) was a suicide or murder, Gupta has bared it all for you.
I must say that I was truly touched with his rendition of Muqbool Butt (Kashmiri separatist) and Afzal Guru (2001 Indian Parliament attack) stories about their life in jail. Also, though I am aware of the clout rich people have, I was definitely astounded by their ease in using the state machinery and the compliance of authorities in the same.
If you’re looking for a gripping novel, this would be the definite pick.
January 7, 2020
lack Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Chauhan
Publisher: @rolibooks
........
Where do I begin with? And what do I say about this book? Tihar Jail, Asia’s largest prison has been a muse of my fascination forever. And I always wonder, what is the life like behind those prison walls?were they tortured, left to rot in dark prison cells, forever lonely. And whatever I heard on the Television felt like the garbled version of half-truths, half-lies that left me scared and bewildered most of the times. But when I read this book ‘Black Warrant’, all the notions I had were unravelled each layer at a time and torn into millions of pieces.
Sunil Gupta was an officer at Tihar Jail for more than thirty years. He recounted tales of such horrifying magnitude that I literally keeled over in overwhelming emotions. From the first man, he met as soon as he joined, the notorious criminal Charles Shobhraj. To his first prison hanging to the formation of Janata party in 1977 behind walls of the jail and to his last hanging of Afzal Guru, he poured his out in a no holds barred confession in stark and honest words, which were then penned by Sunetra Chaudhary.
Sunetra with her pen turned the words into swords. Each blow cut me through my heart. I felt a prisoner of her words. I was riveted, shackled and petrified.
I must say that to tell such imagery stories are no mean feat and I applaud both the authors for allowing us a glimpse of a different world altogether. Where rich and mighty are the the kings and poor were the slave, where loneliness is scarier than death itself and where laws are the means of convenience.
Black Warrant is a book that needs to be read in one's leisure time so that one could soak up the emotions of each story and grasp the magnitude of life it holds. I highly recommend this book and implore you to read it at least once.
Publisher: @rolibooks
........
Where do I begin with? And what do I say about this book? Tihar Jail, Asia’s largest prison has been a muse of my fascination forever. And I always wonder, what is the life like behind those prison walls?were they tortured, left to rot in dark prison cells, forever lonely. And whatever I heard on the Television felt like the garbled version of half-truths, half-lies that left me scared and bewildered most of the times. But when I read this book ‘Black Warrant’, all the notions I had were unravelled each layer at a time and torn into millions of pieces.
Sunil Gupta was an officer at Tihar Jail for more than thirty years. He recounted tales of such horrifying magnitude that I literally keeled over in overwhelming emotions. From the first man, he met as soon as he joined, the notorious criminal Charles Shobhraj. To his first prison hanging to the formation of Janata party in 1977 behind walls of the jail and to his last hanging of Afzal Guru, he poured his out in a no holds barred confession in stark and honest words, which were then penned by Sunetra Chaudhary.
Sunetra with her pen turned the words into swords. Each blow cut me through my heart. I felt a prisoner of her words. I was riveted, shackled and petrified.
I must say that to tell such imagery stories are no mean feat and I applaud both the authors for allowing us a glimpse of a different world altogether. Where rich and mighty are the the kings and poor were the slave, where loneliness is scarier than death itself and where laws are the means of convenience.
Black Warrant is a book that needs to be read in one's leisure time so that one could soak up the emotions of each story and grasp the magnitude of life it holds. I highly recommend this book and implore you to read it at least once.
August 10, 2021
Insight into a topic that’s not often discussed publicly.
September 15, 2025
I bought the book after watching and enjoying the Netflix TV show loosely based on it, but honestly they are both distinct works of art in their own right. Some of the major stories are taken from the book, but the book’s approach is very different from that of the show.
It’s an easy to read, well-written, and incredibly well-researched book that keeps you hooked till the end. It’s like a primer on the history of India over the last 45 years through its criminals! And tying it all together is the very interesting, upright jailer sharing his candid confessions - Sunil Gupta.
I highly recommend it to all Indians but also others curious to learn about India’s justice system.
It’s an easy to read, well-written, and incredibly well-researched book that keeps you hooked till the end. It’s like a primer on the history of India over the last 45 years through its criminals! And tying it all together is the very interesting, upright jailer sharing his candid confessions - Sunil Gupta.
I highly recommend it to all Indians but also others curious to learn about India’s justice system.
September 7, 2020
"𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝘼𝙨𝙞𝙖'𝙨 𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣? 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙙, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙪𝙥 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨? 𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙉𝙞𝙧𝙗𝙝𝙖𝙮𝙖'𝙨 𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙩, 𝙍𝙖𝙢 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙝, 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚, 𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙? 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙚'𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣. "
𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 (𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗹 𝗚𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗮 & 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘆) : It's a fascinating narrative from an insider, who has spent over three decades as an officer at Tihar jail during some of the most turbulent times in Indian political history.
The book recounts stories of various convicts in Tihar jail, their last moments before hanging and the way in which the entire prison operates.
Charles Sobhraj, the bikini killer; The barbaric rape and murder of teenagers Geeta and Sanjay Chopra by Billa and Ranga, that changed Delhi forever; Indira Gandhi's assassination; The privilege received by Subrata Roy (Sahara) in jail; Nirbhaya's rape case which not only shook Delhi but the whole nation; Last moments of Afzal Guru before his hanging; are some of the various stories narrated by the jailer, Sunil Gupta, who witnessed 14 hangings.
Joining him is the award winning journalist Sunetra Choudhary, who played a very fair and impartial role in turning Gupta's narration into a great work.
It's a must read, if you want an overview of the history of Delhi's crime in past four decades. Or even if you are interested in law and criminal justice, read it, you won't be disappointed.
𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 (𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗹 𝗚𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗮 & 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘆) : It's a fascinating narrative from an insider, who has spent over three decades as an officer at Tihar jail during some of the most turbulent times in Indian political history.
The book recounts stories of various convicts in Tihar jail, their last moments before hanging and the way in which the entire prison operates.
Charles Sobhraj, the bikini killer; The barbaric rape and murder of teenagers Geeta and Sanjay Chopra by Billa and Ranga, that changed Delhi forever; Indira Gandhi's assassination; The privilege received by Subrata Roy (Sahara) in jail; Nirbhaya's rape case which not only shook Delhi but the whole nation; Last moments of Afzal Guru before his hanging; are some of the various stories narrated by the jailer, Sunil Gupta, who witnessed 14 hangings.
Joining him is the award winning journalist Sunetra Choudhary, who played a very fair and impartial role in turning Gupta's narration into a great work.
It's a must read, if you want an overview of the history of Delhi's crime in past four decades. Or even if you are interested in law and criminal justice, read it, you won't be disappointed.
July 9, 2020
Black Warrant by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury was such an eye opening read and I highly recommend it.
After serving as a jailer for more than 30 years in Asia’s largest prison, the Tihar Jail in New Delhi, India, Sunil Gupta gives us a very raw and candid account of things and cases that shook the nation, were glorified by the media but he brings to us what usually stays hidden behind the walls. As a part of his job, he was responsible for getting the “black warrant” issued for the prisoners whose mercy petition gets rejected and a final date and time of execution is appointed. He recounts his early experiences, the jitters he felt while doing his duty and being present at the time of hanging, the technical glitches they faced before or after the procedure; however limited they may be.
Through his 30 year’s experience, we get to see an insight into the working, the strengths and weaknesses of the criminal justice system and his personal take on everything that takes place inside this extraordinary institution.
From life of prisoners inside the jail cells, be it common or the most wanted criminals for sensitive cases, to the last moments he remembers he spent with some (including Maqbul Butt and Afzal Guru) just before their hanging, getting to know the “human” behind the prisoner, and how he sometimes felt wronged with how things were about, he shares it all!
He also does not hold back from expressing and commenting about the corruption that runs deep even in the prison grounds, breaking rules or favoring high society inmates, bribes and misuse of authority, casteism and the poor living conditions.
Tbh, I’d always known that there were loopholes and injustices in our prison systems but this book is a great reaffirming eye opener of how bails are granted even in high profile cases, custodial deaths (which have been increasing rapidly and the authors talk about that too) and how sometimes, justice is served in the name of nationalism and not for maintaining the rule of law.
I give this 4/5
After serving as a jailer for more than 30 years in Asia’s largest prison, the Tihar Jail in New Delhi, India, Sunil Gupta gives us a very raw and candid account of things and cases that shook the nation, were glorified by the media but he brings to us what usually stays hidden behind the walls. As a part of his job, he was responsible for getting the “black warrant” issued for the prisoners whose mercy petition gets rejected and a final date and time of execution is appointed. He recounts his early experiences, the jitters he felt while doing his duty and being present at the time of hanging, the technical glitches they faced before or after the procedure; however limited they may be.
Through his 30 year’s experience, we get to see an insight into the working, the strengths and weaknesses of the criminal justice system and his personal take on everything that takes place inside this extraordinary institution.
From life of prisoners inside the jail cells, be it common or the most wanted criminals for sensitive cases, to the last moments he remembers he spent with some (including Maqbul Butt and Afzal Guru) just before their hanging, getting to know the “human” behind the prisoner, and how he sometimes felt wronged with how things were about, he shares it all!
He also does not hold back from expressing and commenting about the corruption that runs deep even in the prison grounds, breaking rules or favoring high society inmates, bribes and misuse of authority, casteism and the poor living conditions.
Tbh, I’d always known that there were loopholes and injustices in our prison systems but this book is a great reaffirming eye opener of how bails are granted even in high profile cases, custodial deaths (which have been increasing rapidly and the authors talk about that too) and how sometimes, justice is served in the name of nationalism and not for maintaining the rule of law.
I give this 4/5
November 27, 2019
Black warrant: confessions of a Tihar jail
One word: Goosebumps.
I'm glad I got the first copy to read. Thanks
We all know about Tihar jail. But, we never know what actually happens inside a jail. The jail and stories will give you goosebumps for sure. I did searching about jail and it's one of the horror places to go. The details are so on point and this book is not for soft Heated people.
Sunil Gupta spends more than 3 decades in Tihar jail. From a railway employee to a starting career as a jailor. Kudos to sunetra for capturing all moments and narrating so so good.
Sunil Gupta has experienced so many events. The problem faced by him, power of money, laws and many things. This book talks about the dark phase of the Indian law system.
Whenever I swipe a page I'm like,
OMG, I can't believe.
This book is really bold and speaks Truth of Tihar jail. How prisoner escapes from jail (hope you seen in the movie). How a jailer spends his life. The hangings (billa and ranga).
In this book you will come across, so many cases about crime, murder, imagine watching death in custody. Kudos to@ to make everyone familiar with such insight.
At least read once in life. If you love nonfiction and want goosebumps at every page then this is a perfect book for you.
I would rate 4.5
One word: Goosebumps.
I'm glad I got the first copy to read. Thanks
We all know about Tihar jail. But, we never know what actually happens inside a jail. The jail and stories will give you goosebumps for sure. I did searching about jail and it's one of the horror places to go. The details are so on point and this book is not for soft Heated people.
Sunil Gupta spends more than 3 decades in Tihar jail. From a railway employee to a starting career as a jailor. Kudos to sunetra for capturing all moments and narrating so so good.
Sunil Gupta has experienced so many events. The problem faced by him, power of money, laws and many things. This book talks about the dark phase of the Indian law system.
Whenever I swipe a page I'm like,
OMG, I can't believe.
This book is really bold and speaks Truth of Tihar jail. How prisoner escapes from jail (hope you seen in the movie). How a jailer spends his life. The hangings (billa and ranga).
In this book you will come across, so many cases about crime, murder, imagine watching death in custody. Kudos to@ to make everyone familiar with such insight.
At least read once in life. If you love nonfiction and want goosebumps at every page then this is a perfect book for you.
I would rate 4.5
December 15, 2019
A thrilling book to read. Salute the courage of the writer to reveal such facts about Tihar Jail. I must say that all youngsters must read this book. Back of their mind they must remember how their life is going to be if they do not obey the regulations.
January 11, 2020
Black Warrant written by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury and published by Roli Books is a gripping and hard- hitting non-fiction about some of the prisoners of Asia’s largest prison. There are few honest and truthful facts about convicts and their last days which will disclose as you read the book, like What happens when a man is hanged, but his pulse refuses to give up even after two hours? Did Nirbhaya’s rapist, Ram Singh, commit suicide or was he murdered? And more such never before known insights of some of the most talked-about cases. The author spent most of his years as a jailor at Tihar and has penned down the story based on his own experiences. I am quite impressed with the way he has narrated the story in the most compelling way.
Visit my blog to read the full review: https://bit.ly/37V9zrf
Visit my blog to read the full review: https://bit.ly/37V9zrf
April 16, 2025
Black Warrant by Sunil Gupta dives into Tihar Jail’s wild world. Gupta, a long-time jailer, dishes on crooks like Charles Sobhraj and Nirbhaya’s rapists, plus jail’s dark secrets. It’s raw, gripping, and super easy to read. If you’re into true crime, this one’s a must!
September 5, 2021
I binge read a non-fiction book based on the corrupt Indian government system and disturbing prisoners?!?! Plus I know too much about hanging????
June 10, 2020
Black Warrant- confessions of a tihar jailer
Author : Sunetra Chaudhary and Sunil Gupta
Year of release : 2019
Genre : Crime-Non-fiction
I have read this book on Kindle and completed it in a week.
This is a compelling one that one should definetly not miss. Although i am not a big fan of non-fictions but this one had me hooked from the very first page.
All those media stories that we see and hear- seems a bit cooked up but this one was coming straight out of the horses mouth.
What happens inside Tihar?
Not only the naked reality of the prisoners but also of the entire system and officials involved is bared out in this one.
The 30 years span spent by Sunil Gupta in Tihar – this book leads us through his journey fused with some of the most controversial cases that we have heard in crime.
And not forgetting the untold unheard facts about– black warrant – Who, how and when it is issued, what exactly is meant by black warrant.
The proceedings that taking place behind this decison, the risks involved and the thought process of the prisoner to be hanged and all the others who are involved in this in one way or the other is penned down closely.
Some of the instances are surely to give goosebumps to many, like talking with the person who is going to be hanged in a few hours, making preparations for hanging, having that last cup of tea, singing one’s favorite song.
“It is nothing to know if you’re going to die but not to know if you are going to live is the real torture” (source: Black Warrant)
The horrific reality of pending decisons on death sentances and how it impacts the prisoner involved is one of the key highlights:
“Imagine to spend 12 years without any human interaction, to just have 30 mins in a day to stretch your legs and rest of the time to just stare at the walls”(source: Black Warrant)
It will leave you to hang your emotions between feeling emapthy for the person facing all this and also to have rage for the same person commmting some of the horrendous crimes.
Some of the names/cases that you will be reading in the book are listed below, myself not being too much into news had to google for a lot of stuff but that wasnt tiring at all, infact i really liked digging much deeper into it. This sort of gave me a background for some of the ones mentioned however for most of them the pre-context is provided.
Charles Sobhraj
Bandit queen
Billa and Ranga
Nirbhaya case
Jessica Lal case
Nithari case
Tandoor case
Sahara scam
Among many more......
For me this book is one of the best i have read in non-fictions and crime.
Ratings- 5/5
I repeat a must read!!
Author : Sunetra Chaudhary and Sunil Gupta
Year of release : 2019
Genre : Crime-Non-fiction
I have read this book on Kindle and completed it in a week.
This is a compelling one that one should definetly not miss. Although i am not a big fan of non-fictions but this one had me hooked from the very first page.
All those media stories that we see and hear- seems a bit cooked up but this one was coming straight out of the horses mouth.
What happens inside Tihar?
Not only the naked reality of the prisoners but also of the entire system and officials involved is bared out in this one.
The 30 years span spent by Sunil Gupta in Tihar – this book leads us through his journey fused with some of the most controversial cases that we have heard in crime.
And not forgetting the untold unheard facts about– black warrant – Who, how and when it is issued, what exactly is meant by black warrant.
The proceedings that taking place behind this decison, the risks involved and the thought process of the prisoner to be hanged and all the others who are involved in this in one way or the other is penned down closely.
Some of the instances are surely to give goosebumps to many, like talking with the person who is going to be hanged in a few hours, making preparations for hanging, having that last cup of tea, singing one’s favorite song.
“It is nothing to know if you’re going to die but not to know if you are going to live is the real torture” (source: Black Warrant)
The horrific reality of pending decisons on death sentances and how it impacts the prisoner involved is one of the key highlights:
“Imagine to spend 12 years without any human interaction, to just have 30 mins in a day to stretch your legs and rest of the time to just stare at the walls”(source: Black Warrant)
It will leave you to hang your emotions between feeling emapthy for the person facing all this and also to have rage for the same person commmting some of the horrendous crimes.
Some of the names/cases that you will be reading in the book are listed below, myself not being too much into news had to google for a lot of stuff but that wasnt tiring at all, infact i really liked digging much deeper into it. This sort of gave me a background for some of the ones mentioned however for most of them the pre-context is provided.
Charles Sobhraj
Bandit queen
Billa and Ranga
Nirbhaya case
Jessica Lal case
Nithari case
Tandoor case
Sahara scam
Among many more......
For me this book is one of the best i have read in non-fictions and crime.
Ratings- 5/5
I repeat a must read!!
June 7, 2020
It is not ver customary in India for people who have been involved in significant decision-making positions and such decisions impact public lives one way or the other, to write a book.
Sunil Gupta goes one step forward, he writes the book and writes it with utmost honesty. While as a reader, I was a bit skeptical initially of all the tall claims made by the author that he remained honest in the pool of dirt. But as you read along, you can sense the same through the book. I will leave this for the reader to experience than to spell instances out.
Subject: Book was very interesting for me as we do not read about an honest account of the inner environment of a prison. All we hear is some sensational news of corruption - either favoring rich or punishing poor. While the book highlights both, it provides an honest account of why it is the way it is.
Initially, I was of the view that I do not mind a rich person getting favored, but a poor should not be deprived of his/her rights. But over the course of reading, I realized, if rich people are not punished well, it's such a waste of public money. For one, it is extremely difficult to punish someone with power and resources. If after being punished, they do not fear the system or do not really go through the reform process, that is the mockery of the whole process and everybody involved in the process of putting that person behind bars.
Very crisp and honest account of the subject. I finished the book in two sittings.
Sunil Gupta goes one step forward, he writes the book and writes it with utmost honesty. While as a reader, I was a bit skeptical initially of all the tall claims made by the author that he remained honest in the pool of dirt. But as you read along, you can sense the same through the book. I will leave this for the reader to experience than to spell instances out.
Subject: Book was very interesting for me as we do not read about an honest account of the inner environment of a prison. All we hear is some sensational news of corruption - either favoring rich or punishing poor. While the book highlights both, it provides an honest account of why it is the way it is.
Initially, I was of the view that I do not mind a rich person getting favored, but a poor should not be deprived of his/her rights. But over the course of reading, I realized, if rich people are not punished well, it's such a waste of public money. For one, it is extremely difficult to punish someone with power and resources. If after being punished, they do not fear the system or do not really go through the reform process, that is the mockery of the whole process and everybody involved in the process of putting that person behind bars.
Very crisp and honest account of the subject. I finished the book in two sittings.
May 24, 2021
Did you know that Kiran Bedi once suggested installing Condom Vending Machines in Tihar?
Or the fact that Maqbool Butt and Afzal Guru's hanging had to be postponed because the suggested date was a Friday and that would lead to utter chaos?
This book is filled with such interesting bits of trivia, anecdotes and tales which are hard to find unless you've an inside man telling you about it, which is exactly what Mr. Sunil Gupta is.
I think everyone pretty much knows the corruption that surrounds Indian bureaucracy and Tihar is no exception. But to know intricate details about which inmate broke what law and how it was overlooked, makes for an interesting read.
That being said, there isn't much prosaic beauty in this work. In fact, it sometimes also errs towards fanfaronade, trying to portray the magnificence of Mr. Gupta's tenure at Tihar. The language used is fairly simple. The narration is easy to follow, sometimes even mediocre, if you've your literature enthusiast glasses on.
But then again, that's not what this book aspires to be. It is meant to be an insight in the life inside the largest prison in South Asia. And that job, it does pretty well.
Or the fact that Maqbool Butt and Afzal Guru's hanging had to be postponed because the suggested date was a Friday and that would lead to utter chaos?
This book is filled with such interesting bits of trivia, anecdotes and tales which are hard to find unless you've an inside man telling you about it, which is exactly what Mr. Sunil Gupta is.
I think everyone pretty much knows the corruption that surrounds Indian bureaucracy and Tihar is no exception. But to know intricate details about which inmate broke what law and how it was overlooked, makes for an interesting read.
That being said, there isn't much prosaic beauty in this work. In fact, it sometimes also errs towards fanfaronade, trying to portray the magnificence of Mr. Gupta's tenure at Tihar. The language used is fairly simple. The narration is easy to follow, sometimes even mediocre, if you've your literature enthusiast glasses on.
But then again, that's not what this book aspires to be. It is meant to be an insight in the life inside the largest prison in South Asia. And that job, it does pretty well.
April 15, 2021
The book presents raw accounts of Asia's largest prison. The prisons in india have always been mysterious and full of secrets given that not much is documented however this book has attempted to unravel some riveting, thrilling and real events. It is thrilling to read the customs and processes involved before and during hanging of the convicts and the psychological journey they traverse. Overall good compelling read more so, if you are interested in criminal and judicial system of the country.
May 11, 2025
A black warrant gets its name from the black lines which frame a death warrant. This was a fascinating book about Tihar, India's most notorious jail, full of anecdotes over Sunil Gupta's 35 year career. I learned more than I expected about hangings. The book is pretty transparent about the torture and corruption that goes on within the prison system. It's interesting how he discusses murderers, terrorists and rapists and how he was able to separate the criminal from the crime to a certain extent.
Read
April 6, 2020I am disturbed. My worst fears about Indian jails, police, the government, and the CBI have all been confirmed. The anecdotes in this book would cause human rights activists to have night terrors.
August 9, 2020
Authentic account of the happenings in Tihar Jail. A world that was closed to us, that we were shielded from until now.
This book presses all the buttons! Worth a read (or two).
This book presses all the buttons! Worth a read (or two).
February 13, 2025
More of a factual retelling than the dramatised version I saw on TV but insightful nonetheless
January 19, 2020
good book to read
Want to read
January 16, 2020This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2020
Read about the Secret World of Jails in India
A story which you usually get to hear as a gossip, hearsay or in Netflix documentaries is documented so well with proper evidence and context.
While reading you start and specially as a layman you start appreciating the principles of Jurisprudence. I am sure student and practitioners of the law fraternity will be able to appreciate it even more.
When you imagine Jailer, you are reminded of that Sholay scene but this book is real world, real mess. Read it for some thrilling behind the scenes stories.
A story which you usually get to hear as a gossip, hearsay or in Netflix documentaries is documented so well with proper evidence and context.
While reading you start and specially as a layman you start appreciating the principles of Jurisprudence. I am sure student and practitioners of the law fraternity will be able to appreciate it even more.
When you imagine Jailer, you are reminded of that Sholay scene but this book is real world, real mess. Read it for some thrilling behind the scenes stories.
December 26, 2019
What happens inside Asia's largest prison?
Are the rich & poor treated equally? or even fairly?
Now that's something many of us who know about the existence of Tihar Jail have wondered, especially when we hear about the luxuries of Subroto Roy, Manu Sharma, A Raja etc.., that's splashed in newspapers and news channels.
Sunil Gupta is our inside man here, he takes us through his 35 years of working inside this hell hole right from his job confirmation from Charles Sobhraj to the painful last year of being ignored by his fellow staff member for standing up against the corrupted officials who provided Sahara Chief with AC, liquor and all luxuries of a home. Sunil Gupta tells us how as a young man he left his job at railways to work at Tihar only to find himself being dropped by all prospective brides, how he met his wife and how they lived in the staff quarters of Tihar due to his job requirements.
Along with Sunetra Choudhury (Journalist & Current Political Editor for Hindustan Times), he explains the crimes and hangings of 8 convicts which happened during his tenure, he talks about Rajan Pillai whose death put few rules in place and also about the guilt or lack of it in Nirbhaya's killers. Kiran Bedi's influence in changing the image of this infamous jail, how she believed in reforming the criminal but was punished by the system over a trivial issue, they tell it all.
Justice in India is a delayed process, victims & their families wait for years for it and even if they are sentenced if you are rich then it can be adjusted according to their needs. This book should be read by everyone to understand where our country stands in punishments, reforms and human value in our jails.
Are the rich & poor treated equally? or even fairly?
Now that's something many of us who know about the existence of Tihar Jail have wondered, especially when we hear about the luxuries of Subroto Roy, Manu Sharma, A Raja etc.., that's splashed in newspapers and news channels.
Sunil Gupta is our inside man here, he takes us through his 35 years of working inside this hell hole right from his job confirmation from Charles Sobhraj to the painful last year of being ignored by his fellow staff member for standing up against the corrupted officials who provided Sahara Chief with AC, liquor and all luxuries of a home. Sunil Gupta tells us how as a young man he left his job at railways to work at Tihar only to find himself being dropped by all prospective brides, how he met his wife and how they lived in the staff quarters of Tihar due to his job requirements.
Along with Sunetra Choudhury (Journalist & Current Political Editor for Hindustan Times), he explains the crimes and hangings of 8 convicts which happened during his tenure, he talks about Rajan Pillai whose death put few rules in place and also about the guilt or lack of it in Nirbhaya's killers. Kiran Bedi's influence in changing the image of this infamous jail, how she believed in reforming the criminal but was punished by the system over a trivial issue, they tell it all.
Justice in India is a delayed process, victims & their families wait for years for it and even if they are sentenced if you are rich then it can be adjusted according to their needs. This book should be read by everyone to understand where our country stands in punishments, reforms and human value in our jails.
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