Sony TV issues clarification after Crime Patrol episode compared to Shraddha Walkar case

After Sony TV’s crime-based show Crime Patrol was heavily criticised for an episode that showed a story which drew similarities to Delhi’s Shraddha Walkar case, the channel issued statement to deny any connection.

The channel said that the episode is a “work of fiction” and that it was based on an incident that took place in 2011. "Some viewers have commented on social media about a recent episode of 'Crime Patrol' on SET resembling a recent incident reported in the media. We wish to clarify that while the episode is a work of fiction, it is based on certain events that occurred in 2011 and not connected to any recent case,” the statement said.

The statement also added that the makers take every care to make sure that the content they put out meets broadcasting standards of the regulatory bodies. “However, in this case, respecting the sentiments expressed by our viewers, we have discontinued the airing of the episode. If the telecast has hurt the sentiments of any of our viewers, we wish to express our sincere regrets,” it said.

The episode comes at the time when it was criticised for bearing resemblance to the Shraddha Walkar murder case that took place in Delhi. While in reality, the girl belongs to Hindu religion, while the boy is a Muslim, in the show, the girl is shown as a Christian while the boy accused of chopping her into pieces was a Hindu boy.

In the Shraddha Walkar's case, her boyfriend Aaftab Poonawalla has been accused of strangling her to deatt and chopping her body into 35 pieces.