In August 2022, while I was stationed in Baghdad, Iraq, amidst the whir of strategic meetings and the dust-laden air of the city, an unexpected message arrived from my school buddy, Aranjit. He had news that instantly transported me back to the familiar alleys of New Delhi. Anirudhya Mitra, the seasoned journalist and filmmaker, was hosting a book signing at a cosy bookstore in Hauz Khas for his newly released work, 90 Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassins. Knowing my deep interest in Indian political history and investigative journalism, Aranjit generously offered to get me a signed, personalised copy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Indrajit Roy Choudhury (@indroyc)

Months passed, and I recently had the chance to collect this treasured book during a short but heartwarming visit to New Delhi. Holding the crisp pages adorned with the author’s handwritten note felt like clutching a piece of living history. Thank you, Aranjit, for this thoughtful and priceless gift — it’s a testament to old friendships that stand strong across miles and years.

A Gripping and Detailed Account of a Historic Manhunt

Anirudhya Mitra is no stranger to the gritty realities of journalism. A veteran who broke several pivotal stories — from the Bofors scandal that rocked the corridors of power to the tragic assassination of Rajiv Gandhi — his career has been a masterclass in fearless reporting. He later pivoted to television drama and film production, showcasing his storytelling finesse across mediums.

With 90 Days, Mitra turns his sharp eye to one of the most intense investigations in India’s modern history: the search for Rajiv Gandhi’s killers. His narrative reads like a taut thriller, filled with intrigue, suspense, and meticulous detail — but every twist and revelation is anchored firmly in fact.

A Dive into a Historical Crime That Shook a Nation

The book takes readers into the chilling decisions made by the LTTE leadership. Velupillai Prabhakaran and his intelligence chief, Pottu Amman, wary of Rajiv Gandhi’s potential return to power and the threat it posed to their movement, orchestrated his assassination. On May 21, 1991, in the unassuming town of Sriperumbudur, Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bombing — an act that not only changed India’s political trajectory but also sealed the LTTE’s fate by alienating its most powerful regional ally.

Mitra skillfully chronicles how the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and intelligence agencies launched an exhaustive probe. One of the most striking details is the discovery of freelance photographer Haribabu’s camera, found intact amid the chaos of the explosion. His ten photographs from that fateful rally became the linchpin of the investigation, offering rare and irrefutable glimpses of the assassins just moments before the blast.

Piecing Together a Complex Puzzle

Through painstaking fieldwork and relentless interrogations, investigators traced the LTTE operatives across cities, culminating in tense arrests that Mitra describes with gripping precision. The capture of Nalini and her accomplice Murugan, among others, comes alive through his dramatic storytelling, moments of danger and high stakes that could easily rival any crime thriller.

Even for readers familiar with the broad strokes of the case, Mitra’s narrative breathes new life into the events. His knack for connecting dots and portraying the dogged determination of the investigators kept me riveted. Each chapter not only recounts what happened but also illuminates the human stories of those who risked their lives to bring the killers to justice.

From Page to Screen

Adding to the book’s legacy is the recent announcement that Applause Entertainment is developing a series adaptation, Trail of an Assassin, with acclaimed filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor at the helm. This exciting development underscores the book’s compelling quality and its potential to reach wider audiences, reigniting conversations about one of India’s darkest chapters.

Final Reflections

90 Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassins is much more than a chronicle of a crime. It’s a window into the machinery of Indian intelligence and law enforcement, the political tremors of the early 1990s, and the moral complexities of revenge and justice. Anirudhya Mitra has crafted a work that is deeply informative, vividly written, and essential reading for anyone interested in India’s recent history, investigative journalism, or true crime.

A Note of Gratitude

As I turned the final pages of this remarkable book, I couldn’t help but feel immense gratitude for the thoughtfulness of friends like Aranjit. The signed copy, with Mitra’s personal note, is more than a book — it’s a symbol of friendship, shared history, and the enduring power of stories.

Thank you once again, Aranjit, for adding this gem to my collection. And to my fellow readers: if you are looking for a meticulously researched and engaging account of a watershed moment in Indian history, I wholeheartedly recommend 90 Days.