Criminal Justice Season 4 Review: Pankaj Tripathi and Surveen Chawla power a whodunit that keeps you hooked

Pankaj Tripathi is back as Madhav Mishra

‘Criminal Justice’ returns with its fourth season and, for the most part, it sticks to the winning formula. Loosely adapted from Peter Moffat’s 2008 BBC series, this Indian version has gradually found its voice over the years.

This time too, it delivers a gripping eight-episode run filled with misdirection, layers, and plenty of surprises. The show does take some creative liberties, but they rarely come in the way of the overall experience. Set in Mumbai, the series captures the city’s linguistic and cultural contrasts quite well—between the Marathi-speaking cops and the Hindi-speaking protagonist’s family at the center.

A familiar formula that still works

As always, a good whodunit thrives on how smartly it lays out its clues, and this season manages to stay a step ahead of the audience. Still, the pacing is a bit indulgent—it could have easily been tighter and wrapped up in six episodes without losing any impact.

The fragile dynamics of the Nagpal family
At the center of it all is the Nagpal family—Raj (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) and Anju (Surveen Chawla), a couple living separately but not divorced; their teenage daughter Ira, who suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome; and Raj’s elderly mother, Gurmeet.

Despite their differences, Raj and Anju live in the same building, in flats opposite each other, to co-parent Ira. Roshni (Asha Negi), a nurse who’s been helping take care of Ira, has gradually become part of the family—and more importantly, part of Raj’s life. The dynamic is unusual, but everyone seems to have come to terms with it, including Anju and Raj’s mother. That fragile balance is shattered one day when Anju and Kamala, the maid, walk in to find Raj holding a bloodied Roshni, trying to save her life. What follows is a fast unravelling of events—Roshni dies, Raj becomes the prime suspect, and Anju turns to trusted lawyer Madhav Mishra for help.

Also Read: Asha Negi on quitting Pavitra Rishta, TV and moving to OTT: 'Had my shows worked, I’d still be there' - Exclusive

Strong performances that anchor the series
Performances play a huge role in keeping the series engaging. Pankaj Tripathi, as always, is effortless in the role of Madhav Mishra. His deadpan delivery, shuddh Hindi, and calm courtroom presence give the show much of its identity. His domestic scenes—especially with his wife and brother-in-law—are charmingly mundane, yet so rooted in realism that they ground the show when the crime narrative gets heavy.

Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, as Raj Nagpal, brings out the inner turmoil of a man who doesn’t quite know how his world fell apart. Asha Negi is subtle and effective as Roshni. But it’s Surveen Chawla, playing Anju, who walks away with the most memorable performance. She handles the complex role with remarkable control, conveying layers of emotion without ever going overboard. Shweta Basu Prasad is also impressive as Lekha Agastya, the sharp, no-nonsense prosecuting lawyer.

Where the series stumbles

Of course, the show isn’t without its flaws. Some subplots drag, particularly the ones involving Ira’s drawings and visual cues—these feel more like narrative gimmicks than essential story elements.

The police characters speak and behave authentically, but their scenes lack the grit and edge one would expect from a crime drama. There’s also a curious lack of closure regarding Madhav Mishra’s decision to part ways with CLU, the corporate law firm he had joined—something that could have used a little more explanation. Still, Mishra remains the series’ anchor. His composed approach, even when everything seems to be going against him, gives the show its emotional and thematic spine. He’s a rare kind of legal character—low-key, unfussy, but extremely sharp.

A courtroom drama that stays engaging

Director Rohan Sippy manages to keep the show on track, even when it threatens to meander. Whenever things slow down or lose direction, the story pulls itself back with a twist or a key reveal. The courtroom scenes, in particular, are fresh and well-paced.

What’s interesting is how the three key lawyers involved bring different energies to the proceedings, breaking the usual tropes of courtroom drama. While the series continues to follow a familiar template from previous seasons, there’s something refreshing in how the story is told this time. By focusing on a family drama wrapped in a murder case, the emotional stakes are automatically higher, making it easier to invest in the characters. Sure, there are loopholes—as with most legal thrillers—but what the show lacks in perfection, it makes up for with heart and storytelling flair.

Cast: Pankaj Mishra, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, Asha Negi, Shweta Basu Prasad, Barkha Singh, Kalyanee Mulay, and Mita Vashisht
Director: Rohan Sippy Rating: 3.5/5

Produced by Applause Entertainment in association with BBC Studios India and Directed by Rohan Sippy, Criminal Justice season 4 now streaming on JioHotstar.