A TALE OF TEMPTATION & TURMOIL

Rajkumari Sharma Tankha

Amit Lodha, the celebrated IPS officer who previously wrote Bihar Diaries: The True Story of How Bihar’s Most Dangerous Criminal Was Caught and Life in the Uniform: Adventures of an IPS Officer in Bihar, now releases a fiction Indian crime thriller titled Police Affairs: Beyond the Call of Duty (Penguin), which draws inspiration from the real-world moral dilemmas faced by police officers.

A sucker for true crime stories, I not only read his earlier two books, but even binge-watched Khakee: The Bihar Chapter (based on his book) on Netflix. Needless to say, I was mighty impressed. So, I picked up Police Affairs thinking it to be another real-life story. A few pages into the book, I wondered how the cop wrote about extramarital affairs when, out of curiosity, I checked the back cover to see if it was truly fact-based. And saw it wasn’t. In felt a sigh of relief. Though all humans are susceptible to have an extra-marital affair, those in uniform indulging in it somehow leaves a bad taste. That’s the amount of high esteem I give to those in Khaki and Forces – always upright, always righteous, and always morally tight!

Relieved, I began reading Police Affairs, as a story, and it totally engulfed me – that speaks volumes about Lodha’s writing skills.

The Complex Journey of IPS Officer Arjun Kumar

IPS officer Arjun Kumar, a decorated and rule‑abiding protagonist, complicates his life when he begins an ‘extramarital affair’ with singer Madhushree after falling in love with her melodious voice.

The affair leads to a tragic death, which entangles Arjun in a complex conspiracy that threatens his life, both – personal and professional. To protect his family life and his professional reputation, he indulges in many not-so-ethical ways.

Police Affairs is all about how Arjun goes on a downward spiral – morally – torn between duty, desire, and self‑preservation. And in writing his story, Lodha has showcased the police institution as a complex web of personal politics and moral compromises. Well, no one can deny that it is – after all, be it cops or civilians, basically all are human beings, prone to all human ills.

Through IPS Officer Arjun Kumar, Lodha shows how even the most righteous and disciplined officer can falter when faced with emotional vulnerability and how those in power misuse it to save themselves. The book draws inspiration from the real-world experiences of IPS officer Amit Kumar Lodha, revealing that the high and mighty often indulge in many shenanigans.

Writing Style and Reader Experience

IPS officer Amit Lodha has handled Arjun’s transformation from an ideal police officer respected by his peers, and a loving husband to a morally-compromised man in a delicate manner – bringing forth his confusions, his fears and insecurities. He hasn’t justified his wrong acts but hasn’t painted him all black either. This is the skill that comes with experiences of life, and hold on language that the author has.

The author writes the book in clear English, making it an easy read without complex sentences, convoluted plots, or jargon. I completed it in three days, maybe you will do so in one!