The Nanavati case revolutionized Indian law by abolishing jury trials, like in the OJ Simpson case.

KM Nanavati, an Indian Navy Commander, was accused of murdering his wife’s lover Prem Ahuja. She had confessed to her husband about her affair with Ahuja, and Nanavati confronted Ahuja, ultimately shooting and killing him.

Despite his confession, Nanavati was initially declared ‘not guilty’ of premeditated murder by a jury, but the verdict was later dismissed by the Bombay High Court. On March 11, 1960, the High Court found Nanavati guilty and sentenced him to life in prison, but the sentence was suspended by the Governor of Bombay.

The Supreme Court later overturned the order and sent Nanavati to prison. After being granted parole on health grounds in 1963 and then later being pardoned, Nanavati emigrated to Canada with his family.

The Nanavati case, which took place in 1959, has been compared to the OJ Simpson case due to its captivating impact on the public and the media. Its influence has resonated through the years, inspiring books and movies, including the 2016 film ‘Rustom’ which explored the role of media in the trial’s outcome.

The OJ Simpson case, which occurred in Los Angeles, involved the televised police chase to apprehend Simpson and a highly publicized trial featuring allegations of racism and high-profile lawyers. Simpson was acquitted in October 1995, despite widespread disbelief from the American public.

Both cases gripped the public’s attention and had far-reaching implications. The significance of the Nanavati case stretched to the point that it was the last case to be heard as a jury trial in India, as the government abolished jury trials soon after.