The courtroom drama returns with darker family secrets, moral dilemmas, and a new case that hits too close to home.
Criminal Justice is back — and this time, the conflict begins at the dining table.
Season 4 of Criminal Justice, brings the courtroom-crime series into more intimate territory. Also taking viewers behind closed doors where even the most seemingly perfect families harbor explosive truths. Streaming now on Disney+ Hotstar, the show once again blends legal intrigue with psychological drama, delivers a gripping narrative that’s equal parts investigation and introspection.
A Family Torn Apart
This season revolves around the suspicious death of a teenage boy from a well-off family and suspect is his sister. As the case unfolds, what appears to be a tragic domestic incident reveals layers of neglect, pressure, and emotional dysfunction that go way beyond the crime itself.
The Family Matters theme feels like a natural evolution for the Criminal Justice franchise, which has always excelled at showing how ordinary people become entangled in the legal system. But this time, it cuts deeper — showing how justice isn’t just about what happens in court, but what’s allowed to happen at home.
Pankaj Tripathi Returns As Madhav Mishra
Of course, no Criminal Justice season would be complete without the unassuming yet razor-sharp advocate Madhav Mishra, played brilliantly by Pankaj Tripathi. With his signature dry wit and quiet confidence, Mishra once again finds himself fighting for someone society has already judged.
Tripathi delivers a masterclass in restraint — juggling the legal strategy of the case with moral questions that haunt every episode. Is justice always about innocence and guilt, or is it also about who gets to be heard?
More Than Just a Crime Drama
In a genre filled with legal thrillers, Criminal Justice is unique for its attempt to avoid oversimplifying cases into black-and-white categories. Season 4 pursues this legacy by attending not only to legal gaps but also to deeper psychological scars — those born within households meant to protect and nurture.
The narrative structure is both tight and intricate. Flashbacks showcase snippets of the victim and the accused’s life. Subplots peel back the surface to the quiet decay within. Be it overbearing parents, competitive siblings, or psychological struggles, Family Matters engages in difficult dialogues while remarkably avoiding being didactic.
Sharp Direction & Cinematic Quality
Directed by Rohan Sippy, this run of Criminal Justice preserves the theatrical nose. When the camera drifts into the courtroom having a palpable tension or, on the flip side, to watch some quietly destructive moments in therapy rooms, every frame looks quite deliberate. The series steers clear from melodrama and let’s silence and glances do all the talking.
The likes of Swastika Mukherjee and Purab Kohli in the supporting cast lend their really strong emotional undertones to the narrative. The characters are all deeply rounded, flawed, and excruciatingly human.
Criminal Justice As Social Commentary
Beyond entertainment, the show continues its role as a subtle critique of the Indian legal system. Criminal Justice explores how privilege, gender, and public perception affect the outcome of trials. It asks: Who gets empathy? Who gets justice? And at what cost?
In Family Matters, the courtroom becomes a reflection of the household — chaotic, confusing, and far from fair.
Criminal Justice: Season 4 – Family Matters is a slow-burn, emotionally charged thriller that reminds us justice isn’t always blind — and sometimes, the greatest betrayals happen within the family. With stellar performances and a timely message, it proves once again why Criminal Justice remains one of India’s finest crime-drama series.
Whether you’re a legal thriller fan or just in for a powerful story, this season is worth your binge.