Netflix's highly anticipated crime drama, Delhi Crime Season 3, is set to premiere on November 13, 2025, and this season takes on a particularly chilling case inspired by the real-life horrors of the Baby Falak incident. Directed by Tanuj Chopra, who also directed the second season, the series promises to delve into the dark underbelly of human trafficking, expanding its scope from Delhi to Assam, Haryana and Rohtak.
The Emmy-winning series returns with Shefali Shah reprising her role as DIG Vartika Chaturvedi, a sharp police officer, who is now facing what might be the most challenging case of her career. This season, Vartika and her team, including Neeti (Rasika Dugal) and Bhupi, uncover a large-scale human trafficking operation where young women and children are moved like commodities, their identities erased, and their lives traded under the guise of opportunity.
The narrative is interwoven with the horrifying realities of the 2012 Baby Falak case, where a two-year-old girl was admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre in New Delhi with a fractured skull and human bite marks. The investigation revealed Falak was a victim of child trafficking, her biological mother separated from her, and the child passed between several individuals in a chain of exploitation. The case exposed the layers of exploitation and neglect prevalent in India. Though Falak was expected to recover, she died on March 15, 2012, after a cardiac arrest.
Director Tanuj Chopra shared that this season begins with Vartika's posting in Assam, highlighting her dedication to justice regardless of the region. "It's a punishment posting, to a place far away from the urban centres she is used to managing," Chopra explained, emphasizing that Vartika remains committed to doing the right thing wherever she goes. The new season also marks a shift by featuring an antagonist who takes center stage alongside the police. Huma Qureshi joins the cast as Meena, also known as "Badi Didi," a ruthless kingpin running a human trafficking ring.
The official synopsis sets the stage for a psychological face-off between Vartika and Meena, two determined women who refuse to lose. According to Chopra, portraying Qureshi’s character as enticing is intentional to maintain audience engagement while making tasteful choices without sensationalizing the issue.
Delhi Crime Season 3 is not just a crime drama but also a commentary on social issues, blending crime with empathy. The series will be available on Netflix in multiple languages, including Telugu and Tamil, expanding its reach across India. The show also stars Rajesh Tailang, Sayani Gupta, Mita Vashisht, Anshumaan Pushkar, and Kelly Dorji.
