Dehradun : The third edition of the Crime Literature Festival of India commenced today at Hyatt Centric, Dehradun, marking the beginning of three days of powerful conversations, bold narratives and thought-provoking discussions on crime, justice and society.
The inaugural ceremony began with the Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.), formally declaring the festival open, along with Guest of Honour and acclaimed filmmaker Ketan Mehta, Festival Chairman and former DGP Uttarakhand Ashok Kumar, Festival Director and former DG of Uttarakhand Aloke Lal, Festival Secretary Randhir K Arora and Chief Coordinator of DCLS Praveen Chandok.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the Governor said that platforms like the Crime Literature Festival play a vital role in helping society reflect on issues of justice, accountability and truth.
Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.) said, “Crime is, in many ways, a story about all of us. As this festival returns to Dehradun for the third time, it carries the blessings of Lord Shiva’s Trishul, guiding us toward truth and clarity. In the words POLICE and JUSTICE the ‘ICE’ symbolizes the calm needed to cool the anger and rage within society. When negative impulses arise within us—when the Ravana inside us is born—the Rama within must also awaken, or else unchecked anger can lead to destruction. Preventing crime begins with recognising and controlling this inner conflict.”
He further said, “This three-day festival spans the entire spectrum of crime—justice, law enforcement, lawlessness, societal behaviour and the psychology behind criminal actions. The stories shared here will serve as valuable lessons for future generations. Drug abuse and cybercrime are two of the most pressing challenges today, and preparing society to create an anti-crime environment is essential.”
“I am proud that this festival is taking place in Dehradun, a city regarded as the literary capital of India and the only place that has embraced the challenge of understanding crime and drawing wisdom from it. You may hear a thousand stories of crime, but in the end, only the truth prevails—and that is where crime literature finds its true purpose”, concluded the Governor.
Welcoming everyone to the inaugural day of the program, Festival Chairman & Former DGP Uttarakhand Ashok Kumar said, “This is the third edition of our Crime Literature Festival, a unique genre-based event and the only one of its kind in India. Over the next three days, we aim to meaningfully engage with important issues such as drug prevention, road accidents, women’s safety, cybercrimes and several other topics that deeply affect society.”
The festival opened with one of its most anticipated sessions, “From Mirch Masala to Manjhi: Ketan Mehta’s Lens on Injustice,” where Mehta well known for his movies like ‘Manjhi’, ‘Mirch Masala’ and ‘Mangal Pandey’, delved in an insightful conversation with former DG Uttarakhand Aloke Lal. Together, they explored how real struggles, resistance and human courage find expression in cinema, and how films can become powerful mirrors of society.
Addressing the audience, Filmmaker Ketan Mehta said, “Crime has always been one of the most fascinating genres for me. Since the very beginning of cinema, literature and theatre, crime has remained among the most compelling themes. Many of my films—whether Mangal Pandey, Rang Rasiya or Mirch Masala—explore different dimensions of crime and human conflict. The reasons behind why a person turns to crime can be many, but at its core, the human being is inherently conflict-ridden. There is a constant battle within each of us, and learning to manage and contain that inner conflict is, in many ways, what life is all about.”
Speaking during the occasion, Festival Director & Former DG Uttarakhand Police, Aloke Lal said, “This is the only festival in the world dedicated solely to the crime genre, and in that sense, it is truly path-breaking. Psychologists say that all of us carry a certain negative impulse within—anger, retaliation, or the instinct to react in ways that can harm others. Only a few allow these impulses to turn into actions, and they ultimately face the consequences through law enforcement. This festival explores not only real crimes but also fictional ones, making it one of the most distinctive and insightful platforms for discussing crime literature.“
The evening continued with “The Enforcer – An IPS Officer’s War on Crime in India’s Badlands,” a compelling discussion featuring former DGP Uttar Pradesh Prashant Kumar, former DGP Ashok Kumar, and author Anirudhya Mitra in conversation with Prachi Kandwal. The panel offered rare, firsthand perspectives from the frontlines of India’s crime landscape.
Organised by the Doon Cultural and Literary Society (DCLS), the festival once again positions Dehradun as a vibrant hub of literary and intellectual dialogue. The three day long festival is open for all with sessions that will delve into land frauds, drugs, women safety, deepfakes, cyber frauds, serial killers, bullying and the resurgence of crime writing across languages.
