The wait is finally over for fans of one of India’s most compelling courtroom dramas. “Criminal Justice: A Family Matter”, the much-anticipated fourth season of the acclaimed legal thriller series, is all set to premiere on JioHotstar on May 29, 2025. Featuring the return of the charismatic Pankaj Tripathi as the shrewd and unconventional defense lawyer Madhav Mishra, this season promises an even deeper dive into the themes of crime, morality, and justice within the fragile bonds of a troubled family.
Building on the success of its previous seasons, the series continues its tradition of fusing legal complexities with intense emotional drama, making it a must-watch for fans of intelligent and gripping storytelling.
Criminal Justice: A Family Matter OTT Release Date
Criminal Justice: A Family Matter is all set to be premiered on 29 May 2025 on JioHotstar.
Titled “Criminal Justice: A Family Matter,” the fourth season adds a new emotional dimension to the popular series. While previous seasons focused on cold-blooded murders and twisted crimes, Season 4 introduces a murder mystery within a family, where the lines between truth and deception blur dangerously.
As Madhav Mishra dives into the case, he is faced with not one but three conflicting narratives, each pointing to different truths. This season raises the question: Can the justice system truly unravel the whole truth when everyone has their own version of it?
When and Where to Watch Criminal Justice: A Family Matter
You can watch this courtroom drama on Jio Hotstar from 29 May 2025.
Criminal Justice is the Indian adaptation of the British TV series of the same name. Since its first Indian season in 2018, the show has garnered a massive following, thanks to its authentic depiction of the Indian legal system and its focus on character-driven storytelling.
Each season has introduced a standalone case, but the common thread has been Madhav Mishra’s journey not just as a lawyer, but as a man of principle in an often unjust world. His battles, both in the courtroom and within himself, have resonated with viewers across the country.
The third season earned an IMDb rating of 8 out of 10, and fans have been eagerly awaiting the next chapter. With high expectations and considerable buzz, Season 4 is poised to build on the franchise’s critical and commercial success.
Criminal Justice: A Family Matter Story
At the heart of Season 4 lies a murder case involving a deeply dysfunctional family. What seems at first like a straightforward investigation slowly morphs into a labyrinth of lies, betrayal, suppressed trauma, and concealed motives.
Each family member seems to be hiding something, and as Mishra tries to put together the pieces of the puzzle, he finds himself navigating murky waters. The season explores several key themes: The complexity of truth — when everyone claims to be right, how do you uncover what actually happened?
Morality vs. legality should one always follow the letter of the law, even when moral considerations say otherwise? Family bonds under pressure — what happens to relationships when the stakes are life and death?
The trailer, which begins with Surveen Chawla’s character seeking legal help, quickly sets the tone for what lies ahead. She knocks on the door of Madhav Mishra, hoping he will take her case. What follows is a series of intense courtroom scenes, investigative sequences, and ethical dilemmas that promise to leave viewers questioning what they know about justice and truth.
The gripping tagline, “Your favorite lawyer is back,” heralds the return of Madhav Mishra, whose understated brilliance has become the soul of the franchise.
Cast and Crew of Criminal Justice: A Family Matter
One of the biggest strengths of Criminal Justice has always been its stellar cast, and Season 4 is no different. Pankaj Tripathi returns as Madhav Mishra, the witty, street-smart, and morally grounded lawyer. His layered performance continues to be a masterclass in subtlety and conviction.
Sweta Basu Prasad joins the cast as Lekha Piramal, Mishra’s legal opponent. A skilled and aggressive lawyer, she brings intensity and sophistication to the courtroom drama, offering a formidable challenge to Madhav.
Surveen Chawla plays a pivotal role as the woman who gets caught in the legal chaos and seeks Mishra’s help. Her performance is expected to carry significant emotional weight and provide a key perspective on the case. The supporting cast further enriches the narrative, portraying complex characters with varying degrees of moral ambiguity.
The success of Criminal Justice is not just in its performances but also in the writing and direction that ground the drama in realism. Director: Rohan Sippy. Writers: Bijesh Jayarajan and Iti Agarwal.
Rohan Sippy brings a cinematic flair and psychological depth to the courtroom scenes, while the writing by Jayarajan and Agarwal ensures that every legal argument and emotional beat rings true. The dialogues are sharp, and the narrative pacing keeps the tension high throughout the season.
While all seasons of Criminal Justice have explored different aspects of crime and punishment, “A Family Matter” adds an emotional layer by focusing on the psychology of familial relationships. The combination of: legal tension, moral gray areas, interpersonal conflicts, and a battle between legal giants (Madhav vs. Lekha) makes this season especially compelling.
In addition, the backdrop of a murder within a family a place typically associated with love and security—amplifies the emotional stakes. Audiences can expect powerful moments of introspection, ethical conflict, and the age-old question: Does justice always prevail, or does it sometimes get lost in the fight for personal truths?
If you’re a fan of shows that combine legal drama with emotional depth, Criminal Justice: A Family Matter is not to be missed. With a talented ensemble cast, a tightly written plot full of suspense and moral complexity, and the brilliant Pankaj Tripathi at its center, the show is a testament to the power of storytelling in today’s OTT era.
