Kawas Manekshaw Nanavati Case

Whole public and the government are interested in a court hearing, this sounds a little strange. K.M.Nanavati vs The State was an exception which inspired several books and films.  Movies like
                Ye Rishte hai pyaar ke (1963)
                Achanak (1973), Rustom (2016)
                Love Affair (2016)

are based on this case. 

Kawas Manekshaw Nanavati was born in a Parsi family in 1925. He met an English girl Sylvia during his study days and eventually the got married and settled in Bombay (now Mumbai). Nanavati was employed in Indian Navy and was on the post of Lieutenant Commander. He was father of 2 sons and a daughter. 

Nanavati used to stay away from home due to his long projects and assignments. Slowly her wife Sylvia, fell in love with a Sindhi business man - Prem Ahuja who was also a friend of Nanavati. Sylvia's letter to Prem revealed that there was a doubt whether Prem will marry her or not. 

Slowly, Nanavati also doubted Sylvia because she was a little detached from him. On 27 April 1959, Nanavati went out with his family to watch the movie Tom Thumb in Metro Cinema and booked only four tickets for his 3 kids and one for Sylvia. He departed from there saying that he has to go on a mission. Before leaving he asked Sylvia whether she loves Prem Ahuja or not. Her silence gave Nanavati the answer. He also asked if Prem will marry her and will take care of their children? She told him that how can she answer this. 

After this Nanavati directly fled to the Naval base and issued his gun with six bullets. He went to Prem Ahuja's office. Finding him absent he went to Prem's home. All the workers' in Prem's house knew Nanavati so they let him enter and told that Prem was in his bedroom. Prem just came out after a bath and was standing in front of a mirror and was just wearing a towel. 

Nanavati asked the same question to Prem Ahuja which he asked his wife, if he will marry Sylvia and take care of his children. Prem's reply didn't pleased Nanavati. They indulged into a verbal warfare and in the heat of moment, Nanavati fired three shots. Nanavati informed his senior officer who advised him to inform his nearest police station. Manekshaw Nanavati surrendered himself to John Lobo. 

A 9 member jury was setup to take decision on this case whether Nanavati Manekshaw was guilty or not. Jury declared him non-guilty by the majority of 8-1. Mr. Ratilal Bhaichand Mehta (Judge) for assurance referred the case to Bombay High Court. 

Different questions were asked from the defense lawyer to K.M.Nanavati like why he issued his gun if he did not had any intention to kill Prem Ahuja. Nanavati replied that he wanted to shoot himself. Another question arised why Prem's towel was at place if a small fight ensued between those. After all the witnesses, Bombay High Court ruled out the decision of giving life imprisonment to Nanavati Manekshaw. 

People were not happy with this decision. A pardon application was also filed to then governor of Bombay and then Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru's sister Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit. V.K.Menon, the defense minister also used to think that Nanavati's punishment should be relaxed. Vijaya Laksmi Pandit could have released Nanavati but she feared that the Sindhi community would get angry and hence it will effect them in the elections.

Bhai Pratap, a Sindhi freedom fighter was arrested at the same time in charge of misusing import license. A pardon application for Bhai Pratap reached Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit. Now she decided to release both K.M.Nanavati and Bhai Pratap. Even Prem's sister had sent a letter to the governor that she has no objection if Nanavati is released. After 3 years of imprisonment, Nanavati was released from jail. 

After his release, his whole family including Sylvia and his children flew to Canada to permanently settle there. In 2003, Nanavati died due to unknown reasons.

Image Source : Leggerhythms.org                                         

During this case, Blitz, a investigation weekly saw a swift progress because it used to cover every minute details of this case and hence held a special place among public. Also it is said that the towel sellers used to sell their product saying that it is 'Prem Ahuja Towel and it will not open even if you will die' 

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