Dial 100 
By Kulpreet Yadav
HarperCollins, 232 pages, Rs 299 

A wife conspires with her ex-lover to murder her husband; an inter-state gang loots a moving train; a serial killer leaves a bloody trail across states; and a cyber conman evades capture for six years. These are just some of the real-life cases in ‘Dial 100’ – gripping accounts of seven high-stakes investigations that showcase the sharp minds and persistence of India’s finest officers.

From using narco-analysis to unlock a long-buried murder secret to tracking a ruthless predator through DNA profiling and gait analysis, this book takes the reader into the heart of complex cases where every clue matters. With breakneck pacing and vivid storytelling, it offers a rare inside look at the investigations that have shaped modern crime-solving in India. The reader follows the officers as they decode cryptic clues, deploy cutting-edge forensic techniques, and outwit criminals who believed themselves to be above the law.

Spanning seven unusual cases from across the country, this book brings to life the high-stakes world of Indian law enforcement where every clue matters, every hour counts, and justice often hangs by a thread. From a vanished cyber conman to a chilling serial killer, a dramatic train heist to crimes that left communities shaken, ‘Dial 100’ unearths the shocking realities that lie behind newspaper headlines.
 
What makes this book especially relevant today is its rare access – offering the reader an insider’s view of how India’s most challenging crimes are solved. Each chapter unfolds like a case file – layered, tense, and filled with unexpected turns. It reads less like reportage and more like a cinematic experience, one where fact proves more riveting than fiction.

The author, Kulpreet Yadav, is a product of the Naval Officers’ Academy and has spent two decades as an officer in uniform and has successfully commanded three ships in his career. Since his retirement as Commandant from the Indian Coast Guard in 2014, he has authored several books in diverse genres, including espionage, true crime and military history. Winner of the Best Fiction Author Award for ‘Murder in Paharganj’, an espionage novel, at the Gurgaon Literary Festival in 2018, Yadav is also an actor and screenwriter.

In the preface of ‘Dial 100’ he explains why he took up this project. An excerpt:

The Indian police force is often stereotyped as sloppy or inefficient—a perception that, while popular, is far from the truth. The reality is more complex and challenging. With a staggering police-to-population ratio of just 150 officers per 1,00,000 citizens, India falls significantly short of the 200 mark stipulated by the United Nations. This inadequate staffing, compounded by low pay, gruelling work hours and limited opportunities for continuous training in an era of rapidly evolving technology, paints a picture of an overburdened and under-resourced force.

And yet, despite these constraints, countless police officers rise above the odds every day. They go beyond the call of duty, harnessing ingenuity, determination and cutting-edge technology—often self-taught—to solve crimes that seem impossible to crack. Their dedication, often at the expense of personal comfort and family time, deserves not just recognition but also admiration. A soldier may guard the borders of a nation, but a policeman fights wars within its boundaries, confronting invisible enemies who blend seamlessly into society. And even when criminals are apprehended, the road to conviction remains arduous, thanks to the rigorous standards of evidence and the legal complexities of our justice system.

This book, ‘Dial 100’, is a tribute to such unsung heroes of our society. It features seven gripping cases from recent times, each a testament to the resourcefulness, resilience and relentless pursuit of justice by the Indian police. These stories are not just about solving crimes; they are about the human element—the sleepless nights, the strategic thinking, the creative use of technology and the emotional toll borne by those who shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding our society.

As an author, I have striven to present these cases in an engaging and relatable manner, recreating dialogues and scenes to immerse readers in the pulse-pounding tension and drama of the investigations. The language is straightforward and accessible, making the book an enjoyable read for anyone curious about the inner workings of criminal investigations.

‘Dial 100’ is my second foray into the true-crime genre, following the success of ‘Queens of Crime’, co-authored with actor Sushant Singh and published in 2019. The overwhelmingly positive response to that book inspired me to delve deeper into this genre and bring forth more such narratives that inform, engage and resonate with readers. I hope this book receives the same warmth and word-of-mouth appreciation as Queens of Crime.

There is also a secondary purpose to this work. This book serves as a cautionary tale to those who believe they can outsmart the law. No matter how sophisticated the crime, how well-planned the execution or how advanced the technology used to mask it, there will always be someone in uniform, more determined, more resourceful and more relentless, ready to bring wrongdoers to justice.

Finally, I hope that these stories inspire greater appreciation for the professionalism and commitment of the Indian police. Let us work towards building a society where the fear of justice deters criminal intent and where the law is upheld as a beacon of fairness and accountability.

[This excerpt reproduced with the permission of the publishers.]