Criminal Justice Season 4 Review: A Gripping Family Murder Mystery with Pankaj Tripathi and Surveen Chawla
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Criminal Justice: A Family Matter, the fourth instalment of the popular crime drama, begins with a familiar setup — a man’s mistress is murdered, and suspicion naturally falls on the man and his wife. While the premise may sound clichéd, the presence of a seasoned cast — Pankaj Tripathi , Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub , and Surveen Chawla — ensures the series goes beyond the ordinary.
Directed by Rohan Sippy, the show delivers a well-paced, character-driven murder mystery that blends legal drama with emotional tension. The story opens with Madhav Mishra (Pankaj Tripathi), preparing to take up a posh corporate law job, only to realise that his greatest asset is, ironically, his ordinariness. Tripathi’s signature "aam aadmi" charm returns in full force as Mishra, whose humble honesty quickly entangles him in a high-profile murder case.
The case in question involves Dr. Raj Nagpal (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub), a respected figure from Mumbai’s elite society, who is accused of murdering his mistress, nurse Roshni Saluja (Asha Negi). Roshni had also been the caretaker of Raj’s daughter, Ira, who has Asperger’s syndrome. Her body is discovered in Raj’s arms, the day after Ira’s birthday — a chilling setup that immediately makes him the prime suspect.
As Madhav steps in to defend Raj, he faces pressure from his new employers to drop the case, warning that his "aam aadmi face might start looking like a celebrity." It's a meta-commentary on Tripathi’s own image — and the type of roles he often plays.
The plot thickens when Raj’s estranged wife Anju (Surveen Chawla) is pulled into the case, and the narrative transforms into a layered courtroom drama. Across eight episodes, the mystery slowly unravels, pulling viewers deeper into the tangled web of suspicion, betrayal, and hidden motives.
Despite the predictability of a courtroom win for Madhav Mishra — and yes, he does win — the show holds its ground with a satisfying final twist. Subtle clues sprinkled throughout the series come together in the end, rewarding attentive viewers with a classic murder mystery payoff.
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub is striking as Dr. Raj Nagpal. His performance is nuanced, and his expressive eyes add layers to a character under immense scrutiny. A particularly moving scene involving his on-screen daughter visiting him in jail stands out as one of the emotional high points of the series.
Surveen Chawla, playing the enigmatic Anju, delivers a solid performance. Whether exuding icy composure or revealing emotional vulnerability, she handles her role with confidence and subtlety. The thriller genre suits her well, and it’s high time her acting talents received more attention.
While the central family drama between Raj and Anju drives the story, other "family matters" feel undercooked. Barka Singh’s character, who works with Madhav, shares a few light moments with her mother (played by Mita Vashisht), who joins the case as a defence attorney — but this subplot feels inconsequential. Similarly, Kalyanee Mulay’s arc as Superintendent Gauri, investigating the case alongside her ex-husband, adds more distraction than depth.
Directed by Rohan Sippy, the show delivers a well-paced, character-driven murder mystery that blends legal drama with emotional tension. The story opens with Madhav Mishra (Pankaj Tripathi), preparing to take up a posh corporate law job, only to realise that his greatest asset is, ironically, his ordinariness. Tripathi’s signature "aam aadmi" charm returns in full force as Mishra, whose humble honesty quickly entangles him in a high-profile murder case.
The case in question involves Dr. Raj Nagpal (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub), a respected figure from Mumbai’s elite society, who is accused of murdering his mistress, nurse Roshni Saluja (Asha Negi). Roshni had also been the caretaker of Raj’s daughter, Ira, who has Asperger’s syndrome. Her body is discovered in Raj’s arms, the day after Ira’s birthday — a chilling setup that immediately makes him the prime suspect.
As Madhav steps in to defend Raj, he faces pressure from his new employers to drop the case, warning that his "aam aadmi face might start looking like a celebrity." It's a meta-commentary on Tripathi’s own image — and the type of roles he often plays.
The plot thickens when Raj’s estranged wife Anju (Surveen Chawla) is pulled into the case, and the narrative transforms into a layered courtroom drama. Across eight episodes, the mystery slowly unravels, pulling viewers deeper into the tangled web of suspicion, betrayal, and hidden motives.
Despite the predictability of a courtroom win for Madhav Mishra — and yes, he does win — the show holds its ground with a satisfying final twist. Subtle clues sprinkled throughout the series come together in the end, rewarding attentive viewers with a classic murder mystery payoff.
Strong Performances Elevate the Series
Pankaj Tripathi once again anchors the series with his effortless portrayal of Madhav Mishra. His sharp wit and dry humour balance the grim tone of the story. However, his continued portrayal of the “ordinary man” risks becoming repetitive — a role he has mastered, but perhaps outgrown.Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub is striking as Dr. Raj Nagpal. His performance is nuanced, and his expressive eyes add layers to a character under immense scrutiny. A particularly moving scene involving his on-screen daughter visiting him in jail stands out as one of the emotional high points of the series.
Surveen Chawla, playing the enigmatic Anju, delivers a solid performance. Whether exuding icy composure or revealing emotional vulnerability, she handles her role with confidence and subtlety. The thriller genre suits her well, and it’s high time her acting talents received more attention.
Writing and Subplots: A Mixed Bag
Writers Harman Wadala, Sandeep Jain, and Sameer Mishra keep the narrative tight, offering enough twists and courtroom drama to maintain momentum. However, one weakness lies in the underdeveloped portrayal of Roshni Saluja, played by Asha Negi. A deeper look into her life could have added more emotional weight to the crime at the heart of the series.While the central family drama between Raj and Anju drives the story, other "family matters" feel undercooked. Barka Singh’s character, who works with Madhav, shares a few light moments with her mother (played by Mita Vashisht), who joins the case as a defence attorney — but this subplot feels inconsequential. Similarly, Kalyanee Mulay’s arc as Superintendent Gauri, investigating the case alongside her ex-husband, adds more distraction than depth.
Verdict
Despite a few sluggish subplots and familiar tropes, Criminal Justice: A Family Matter delivers a solid legal thriller experience. Strong performances from the lead cast and a neatly-woven mystery keep the show engaging. It doesn’t reinvent the genre but remains a compelling watch, especially for fans of character-driven crime dramas.Next Story