About the Book

Justice Vikram is at the peak of his career, riding high on his success as though there is no tomorrow – a fact that comes true in his case. He is paid a visit by Doot, the angel of death. Vikram’s time on earth is over, but Doot offers him a deal. Vikram has to solve some complicated cases. If Doot approves his verdict, Vikram gets a fresh lease of life… till Doot gives him another tough case. The deal is, if Vikram is unable to reach the right verdict, he has to leave with Doot. Sounds familiar? Here comes the twist. The cases are based on actual criminal cases with unusual, dramatic and often unpredictable verdicts… solving which, Vikram revisits his relationships and unravels the knots that have bound him to life. What would be his final verdict on himself?

Part allegory, part fable, this engrossing and entertaining novel carries us into a present day interpretation of the eternally compelling Vikram and Baital story cycle.

Namita Gokhale, Writer and Co-Director of the Jaipur Literature Festival

The story is simple and profound. The book never breaks eye contact with the soul of the reader. Threads of meaning and truth are present in everyone, but they only become visible when something creative is attempted. Sunita Pant Bansal has done just that and it works like magic. We live in a time of worldwide upheaval and impending danger, a deepening humanitarian crisis of rampant injustice and a loss of compassion and understanding. At the same time, a book like this bring us hope. It screams out and says, from the heart of this crisis, through works of art, mankind will receive such gifts in which you will find meaning and truth. Read this book. It may make you breathe.

Mahesh Bhatt, Renowned Film Director of the Indian film industry