For nearly three decades, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has stood as television’s definitive crime procedural — a blend of gut-wrenching investigations, moral ambiguity, and Mariska Hargitay’s indelible performance as Olivia Benson. But while SVU continues to dominate primetime, a new series is quietly rising through the ranks — and it’s giving the long-running NBC show serious global competition.
That show is Netflix’s Indian crime anthology Delhi Crime, whose recently released Season 3 (premiered November 13, 2025) has surged to #10 globally on the streamer’s charts. Combining procedural realism with powerful social commentary, Delhi Crime delivers everything SVU fans love — relentless investigators, impossible cases, and a chilling look at crimes that expose society’s deepest wounds.
“Delhi Crime doesn’t just show you a case — it forces you to live inside it,” writes Indian Express critic Shubhra Gupta.
What Is Delhi Crime About?
At its core, Delhi Crime is a police procedural rooted in true events that rocked India and shocked the world. The series centres on Deputy Commissioner of Police Vartika Chaturvedi (Shefali Shah) — a determined, emotionally complex officer leading her team through India’s most high-profile investigations.
Each season tackles a different real-life case from Delhi’s criminal archives, blending documentary-like realism with dramatic storytelling.
| Season | Year Released | Main Case / Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (2019) | 2012 Delhi gang-rape case | A nation shaken by the brutal assault of a young woman on a bus; DCP Vartika leads the race against time to find the culprits. |
| Season 2 (2022) | The Chaddi Baniyan Gang | A bizarre and brutal crime spree by a gang that strikes at night wearing only undergarments; Vartika faces media and political pressure. |
| Season 3 (2025) | Human trafficking case (based on the “Baby Falak” incident) | A child abuse case exposes a vast trafficking network and tests the moral limits of law enforcement. |
‘Delhi Crime’ Is the Realistic, Female-Led Crime Drama Viewers Needed
What Law & Order: SVU did for New York’s special victims unit, Delhi Crime is doing for the Delhi Police — and it’s no coincidence both feature strong, resilient women leading the charge.
DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, played with astonishing emotional range by Shefali Shah, embodies the same empathy and steel as Hargitay’s Olivia Benson. Her portrayal has been hailed as one of the most authentic depictions of Indian law enforcement ever seen on screen.
“Vartika is not a superhero cop — she’s a human being carrying the unbearable weight of justice,” says creator Richie Mehta, who also directed Poacher.
Like SVU, Delhi Crime explores the psychological toll of confronting horrific crimes. But what sets it apart is its documentary-style precision and cultural specificity — a focus on systemic challenges such as patriarchal bias, bureaucracy, and political interference in policing.
The show’s gritty cinematography, handheld camerawork, and authentic Delhi backdrops lend it a startling sense of realism, making each episode feel both cinematic and grounded in truth.
Critical Acclaim and Awards Recognition
Since its debut in 2019, Delhi Crime has steadily built a reputation as one of Netflix’s best international dramas — though it has often flown under the radar outside India. That changed after the series won the 2020 International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series, making it the first Indian show to earn the honour.
Its critical reception remains stellar:
| Metric | Score / Recognition |
|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critics) | 85% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience) | 89% |
| International Emmy Awards (2020) | Best Drama Series Winner |
| Emmy Nomination (2023) | Best Performance by an Actress — Shefali Shah |
| Netflix Global Rank (Nov 2025) | #10 Overall Series Worldwide |
Critics have praised Delhi Crime for its unflinching realism, strong performances, and its ability to balance procedural tension with social awareness.
Variety described the series as “a slow-burn triumph that transforms true horror into moral inquiry.”
Why Delhi Crime Feels Like the Natural Heir to Law & Order: SVU?
Both SVU and Delhi Crime understand that the most compelling crime stories aren’t about solving murders — they’re about understanding what drives people to commit them, and what happens to those who must confront the aftermath.
But Delhi Crime distinguishes itself by grounding its stories in real investigations, often drawn directly from India’s headlines. This makes its storytelling doubly impactful — each crime isn’t just tragic fiction, but a reflection of ongoing societal trauma.
Here’s how the two shows compare:
| Aspect | Law & Order: SVU | Delhi Crime |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | New York City | New Delhi, India |
| Lead Character | Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) | DCP Vartika Chaturvedi (Shefali Shah) |
| Tone | Procedural drama with emotional depth | Realistic docu-drama inspired by true crimes |
| Key Focus | Sexual assault and victims’ rights | Systemic crime, gender violence, and corruption |
| Format | Episodic — new case each week | Anthology — new case each season |
| Viewer Impact | Advocacy for survivors | Examination of justice in developing societies |
Both shows thrive on empathy-driven policing, highlighting the human cost of every crime rather than sensationalizing it. Yet, where SVU provides emotional closure within each episode, Delhi Crime opts for realism — endings that leave lingering questions about morality and justice.
The Global Rise of Delhi Crime on Netflix
While the first two seasons earned critical acclaim, Delhi Crime’s third season has become its breakout moment. Within a week of its November 2025 release, it entered Netflix’s Global Top 10 — a rare feat for a non-English-language drama.
The show’s international momentum has been fueled by strong word-of-mouth and a global appetite for grounded, socially conscious thrillers. As audiences tyre of formulaic true-crime series, Delhi Crime’s restrained tone and journalistic authenticity offer something rare — a series that’s both riveting and respectful.
“It’s the anti-true-crime show,” says The Guardian. “You watch not for the killer, but for the truth.”
Why You Should Watch Delhi Crime Right Now?
If you’re a fan of Law & Order: SVU, Mindhunter, or Criminal Minds, Delhi Crime deserves a place at the top of your Netflix queue. It’s more than a police drama — it’s an exploration of humanity, morality, and resilience in the face of unimaginable cruelty.
Here’s why it’s worth your time:
- Based on true cases that changed India’s criminal justice system
- Powerful, female-led performances led by Shefali Shah
- Cinematic storytelling that balances realism and emotion
- Cultural insight into modern India’s social and legal systems
- Critical acclaim and award-winning production
Each season feels self-contained, so newcomers can jump in at any point — though starting from Season 1 offers the fullest emotional arc for DCP Vartika.
Conclusion
While Law & Order: SVU remains an institution in American television, Delhi Crime has quietly evolved into its spiritual successor — a series equally committed to empathy, justice, and the human cost of violence.
By tackling true stories with cinematic restraint and emotional depth, Delhi Crime proves that the procedural genre still has room for evolution. It’s not just a crime show; it’s a mirror held up to society, asking what kind of justice we truly believe in.
If SVU is America’s conscience on primetime, Delhi Crime is the world’s — and its voice is only getting louder.
FAQs
Yes. Each season adapts real criminal cases investigated by the Delhi Police, including the 2012 gang-rape and 2016 burglary sprees.
Three seasons are currently available on Netflix, with Season 3 released on November 13, 2025.
Yes — both feature female-led investigations into violent crimes, though Delhi Crime is serialised and based on true events.
The ensemble cast includes Shefali Shah, Rasika Dugal, Rajesh Tailang, Anurag Arora, and Gopal Datt.
Will there be a Season 4?
While Netflix has not officially confirmed a renewal, the show’s global success makes a fourth season highly likely.
