Exploring the Dark Tale Behind Amazon Prime's 'Raakh'

Overview of 'Raakh'

Amazon Prime Video has recently launched a gripping series titled Raakh, which is inspired by a harrowing true story. Starring Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre, the show draws its narrative from the notorious Ranga Billa case, involving the brutal murder of two teenagers. Directed by Prosit Roy, this eight-episode series premiered on June 12 and has garnered favorable reviews. While Raakh dramatizes the events surrounding the Ranga Billa case, the actual occurrences were even more shocking. In the series, Akash Makhija and Ramandeep Yadav portray Billa and Ranga, while Ali plays the role of a police officer and Sonali takes on the role of the grieving mother.

The Ranga Billa Case Explained

Understanding the Ranga Billa Case

The Ranga Billa case, also referred to as the Geeta and Sanjay Chopra kidnapping incident, unfolded in Delhi. On August 26, 1978, siblings Geeta (16) and Sanjay Chopra (14), children of naval officer Captain Madan Mohan Chopra, left their home in Dhaula Kuan to attend a radio station where Geeta was scheduled to sing. Due to heavy rainfall, they accepted a ride in a stolen Fiat driven by Kuljeet Singh and Jasbir Singh, known as Ranga and Billa, who were evading capture for nearly two weeks.

The Chopras became alarmed when Geeta's performance did not air. Upon visiting the radio station, Captain Chopra discovered that the children had not arrived. This prompted the Delhi Police to initiate a large-scale manhunt. After a prolonged pursuit, the police managed to identify Ranga and Billa through the recovery of bloodstained clothing and weapons. The siblings fought back fiercely against their captors, leading to severe injuries for Ranga and Billa, which ultimately provided a crucial lead in the investigation.

Police Investigation and Aftermath

Delhi Police's Pursuit of Justice

During the confrontation, both Sanjay and Geeta sustained serious injuries. Reports indicate that Sanjay, a boxer, bravely fought back but ultimately succumbed to 25 stab wounds. Geeta also suffered multiple stab wounds, including a severe neck injury. When the police discovered their bodies, decomposition had set in, complicating the investigation regarding potential sexual assault on Geeta.

The police tracked down the culprits with assistance from Lance Naik Gurtej Singh and AV Shetty, who were on the Kalka Mail heading to Delhi. The authorities apprehended Ranga and Billa and subsequently incarcerated them in Tihar Jail, where Sunil Gupta oversaw their detention.

Ranga and Billa were convicted of kidnapping and murder, receiving death sentences that were carried out on January 31, 1982, at Tihar Jail. Their case has inspired various adaptations, including the Netflix series Black Warrant. In honor of Geeta and Sanjay, awards were established as part of India's National Bravery Awards for children. In Raakh, the characters are renamed Suman and Sahil Arora, with a supporting cast that includes Divya Sharma, Vivaan Sharma, Anshul Chauhan, Rakesh Bedi, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya.