Journalist Jigna Vora speaks about Hansal Mehta’s web series Scoop, which is based on her incarceration and acquittal – Times of India

Hansal Mehta‘s new web series Scoop, which features Karishma Tanna playing the lead, is inspired by the high-profile Court case of journalist Jigna Vora. In 2011, Jigna was charged for allegedly conspiring with gangster Chota Rajan in the murder of another journalist J Dey. Vora was acquitted of the charges in 2018 and she went on to chronicle her ordeal and experience in the book Behind Bars In Byculla. The series Scoop is inspired by Vora’s account of her criminal case and Karishma Tanna’s character is based on her. Vora reveals her reaction to the OTT series and recounts the painful lessons she learnt through her much-talked-about case.

Have you seen Hansal Mehta’s series on your traumatic experience in prison? How closely were you associated with the series?

I haven’t seen whole series yet. Whatever I have seen, I am really taken aback by the fact that Hansal Mehta has adapted my book Behind Bars In Byculla. It will definitely be an eye opener and it will be relatable to many women like me who are struggling in a male dominated field.

What did you think of Karishma Tanna portrayal of a character based on you?

Whatever I have seen, Karishma has done fabulous job. She resembles me to a great extent.

After watching the series many would want to know why you were chosen to be a scapegoat in the J Dey murder case?

Twelve years down the line, believe me, this question still haunts me. I also want to know, why me! During the early days in jail, I kept wondering what I have done wrong to be here, but gradually I accepted the situation.

One can only imagine the suffering and trauma you went through. In your darkest hour where did you find your strength to go on?

Faith in God, my family and karma. If you have read my book, I have written I use to chant Hanuman Chalisa perhaps 300 to 400 times a day. It gave me immense strength and yes, I have seen miracles, too.

The series shows almost all your media colleagues, except your incredibly supportive editor, turning against you. What do you have to say about the lack of solidarity within your fraternity?

Yes, it hurts more that media didn’t even spare me. This question should ideally be asked to the media.

You had a very supportive family but a truly treacherous boy friend. Was this time a true test of who were your real well wishers? How did you cope with the betrayals?

It’s said, tough situation shows real faces. So I came to know about many real faces during the last twelve years. The list of betrayals is long… people tried to take advantage of the situation and my vulnerability. People said they were like family and have backstabbed me, they capitalised on my life. I remember once during my reporting days, one senior IPS officer had told me, ‘Jigna, there are all vultures out here.’ And I experienced that first hand. I have learned my lessons the hard way.

Now that you have your freedom again, what are you doing with it? Has the healing and rehabilitation been tough?

What freedom are you talking about? I was acquitted in 2018. Still, I live in constant fear, no job in hand, there’s a persistent everyday struggle… There’s a struggle with the self. Yes, I have healed myself to a great extent by doing to vipassana and meditation. I have forgiven many people.

What is your advice to all those journalists who tend to cross the line in the quest for a scoop?

I think today’s journalists are smart enough. They know very well what they have to do.

Finally, your struggle and victory in proving your innocence is highly inspiring. What do you have to say about the thousands of undertrials languishing in jail for crimes they never committed?

Everyone under trial has a backstory. We as a society should try to understand this and help them by counseling, channelising their destructive energies in positive ways. Even now, if I apply for a job I am told the HR has a policy that they can’t hire a person with a criminal record. Where does one go? What does one do? I was fortunate that my family was there to take care of me and my son, financially and mentally. They stood by me rock solid. As a society, we should have various corrective programs designed for undertrials.