Dr. Kiran Bedi: From police officer to (TV) court arbitrator
Kiran Bedi received the 1994 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in recognition for her building confidence in India's police through dynamic leadership and effective innovations in crime control, drug rehabilitation, and humane prison reform.
After 35 years in the Indian Police Service, Dr. Kiran Bedi had been prepared for a life in retirement. After all, hers was a colorful career marked by milestones in the country's police service-she is the first and highest ranking woman police officer-and she could very well rest on her laurels.
Her retirement, however, was not how she thought it would be. She did leave office in 2007, but not the public eye. Today she appears regularly on television, not as a news source but as host of the program, "Aap Ki Kachehri Kiran Ke Saath."
Billed as the first of its kind in Indian television, the reality show presents open hearings of civil disputes not already pending in court, with Bedi acting as arbitrator. Launched in December 2008 and airing on weekdays, it is one of India's top-rating tv shows. The host tells us more in the following Q & A.
How did you get into TV?
By sheer destiny...As it is said, when one door closes, another one opens. This is exactly what happened...I received the offer to play the role of a judge on a reality TV show which would be about resolution of civil disputes. When I asked why I was being chosen for it, I was informed that it was based on the results of a survey on public perception of trust...and that viewers would trust my judgment. Also I would be free to take the call (or not), and the channel will not interfere. I informed the producers that I would take their offer only after I finally decide to move out of my service.
When did this happen?
After completing 35 years of demanding service and having reached the highest rank, as the Director General of Police, I was awaiting the final position of my career, which was to be the Police Commissioner of Delhi. Since this is politico-bureaucratic selection, (not strictly on merit and seniority) I had a gut feeling that I may not be the choice. I had mentally prepared myself to move out of the service in that case and seek voluntary retirement, to expose the wrong.
How do you view the media?
I valued the power of media right from my sports days as a tennis player. Later when I became the first woman in India to join the officer ranks of the Indian Police Service I never saw the media as an adversary, as was the belief within the police service. I continued to reach out to the media in all police community issues, which kept people duly informed.
What sorts of cases do you encounter on the program?
The concept of the program is close to my heart--doing justice. The parties to the dispute volunteer to come through the (STAR) channel. The producers' team researches the cases to ensure their legality and authenticity. The cases had to be civil, and not sub judice.
There are family disputes, property matters, custody issues, contract matters, money disputes, and friends fighting... Some cases were very moving while the other demanded better communication.
How do the TV court proceedings go?
The studio is made like a court. I, along with legal experts, study the case beforehand but do not meet the parties; they see me for the first time in "court." No scripts for us. No re-takes...Many new details are revealed during cross-examinations. Some parties try to overawe (the opposing side) and control the proceedings but are promptly put in their place... In the end, the parties sign a document stating they accept the judgment, as a civil agreement, enforceable under the law.
We got borrowed moneys repaid, families united or amicably separated, children's custody settled, property matters resolved, families united, friends restored, duties and responsibilities realized and even financially rehabilitated.
How has viewer response been?
The channel got overwhelming response...The program received many awards and became the first of its kind in Indian television history as one which was truly real.
What is the biggest value of such a program?
The show could help literally one and all in many ways, most of all by providing clarity and awareness of their legal rights and responsibilities-which they had not known before or had not heard of from someone knowledgeable or they could trust and listen to... Millions of Indian viewers all over world learned about the basics of law from others' lives. But most of all they saw the hidden reality of Indian society.
