Black Warrant: All you need to know about Charles Sobhraj aka The Bikini Killer played by Sidhant Gupta in Zahan Kapoor-led show, and where he is now

The notorious serial killer Charles Sobhraj, known as “The Serpent” for his skill at escaping law enforcement, is reimagined again in the Netflix series titled Black Warrant. This series, helmed by director Vikramaditya Motwane, narrates the story from the perspective of new prison guard Sunil Gupta, with actor Sidhant Gupta playing the role of the notorious criminal Sobhraj.

In the series “Black Warrant,” the character portrayed by Sidhant Gupta is known as Charles Sobhraj, who was born under the name Hotchand Bhawnani Gurmukh Sobhraj. To learn more about this notorious serial killer, also called The Bikini Killer, click here!

Black Warrant: Who is Charles Sobhraj played by Sidhant Gupta aka the Bikini Killer?

1. Charles Sobhraj: The Background

Charles Sobhraj, born as Hotchand Bhawnani Gurmukh Sobhraj on April 6, 1944, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, gained notoriety for his criminal activities. He is recognized for committing various scams and murders throughout the 1970s, particularly targeting Western travelers exploring South Asia’s hippie trail.

Charles Sobhraj was born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on April 6, 1944. He is infamous for the crimes he committed during the 1970s, such as fraud and murder, often targeting Western tourists traveling along South Asia’s hippie trail. His original name was Hotchand Bhawnani Gurmukh Sobhraj.

2. Why was he called the Bikini Killer

As a language enthusiast fluent in numerous tongues and possessing falsified documents, I’d roam the world, preying on unsuspecting young travelers. I’d win their trust, frequently sharing food or beverages laced with deadly toxins. Once they were incapacitated, they became vulnerable prey for theft, or in some tragic instances, death.

1975 saw the beginning of a fresh phase for Sobhraj, during which he encountered Marie-Andrée Leclerc, a Canadian lady who became his second spouse, as well as Ajay Chowdhury, an associate. Together, this group was involved in multiple murders and thefts.

Karla Sobhraj’s first verified victim was Teresa Knowlton, a 21-year-old girl, whose lifeless body was found floating in Pattaya, adorned in a bikini. He was also accused of the murder of Vitali Hakim, whose charred remains were found on the roadside.

As Hakim’s girlfriend looked for him, she unfortunately met the same fate. Her lifeless body was discovered floating in the water, and she too was wearing a bikini. Over time, Sobhraj earned the nickname “The Bikini Killer” because many of his victims were found dressed similarly.

1976 saw the return of Sobhraj to India following a string of crimes abroad. An international arrest warrant was already out for him at that time. Yet, a blunder during an attempt to drug a party of French travelers in Delhi ultimately resulted in his apprehension and incarceration in Tihar Prison.

3. The Conversations And The wedding

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I find myself reflecting on an intriguing tale from my past. In the year 2008, while I was still serving time in confinement, I entered into matrimony with a vibrant young woman named Nihita Biswas, who hails from Nepal. At that momentous occasion, she was merely in her early twenties, whereas I was 66 years old. Despite the reservations of Nihita’s mother and my lawyer, both of whom decided to leave Nepal, Nihita remained steadfast in her visits to me, demonstrating an unwavering devotion that continues to captivate observers even today.

4. Arrest in India

Back in July 1976, I found myself ensnared by the long arm of the law in India, following my ill-fated attempt to drug a large group of about 20 French vacationers at a hotel in New Delhi. The allegations against me went beyond this incident; I was also suspected of taking the life of another French traveler, Luc Salomon, who had been fatally poisoned in a hotel in Mumbai.

Back in May 1982, a court in India convicted him to spend the rest of his life behind bars for the 1976 murder of Israeli traveler Alan Jacob. Yet, he was found not guilty on appeal the following year as there wasn’t enough evidence, still, he continued serving time in prison for other offenses.

5. Tihar Jailbreak: Where is he now?

Despite being imprisoned, Sobhraj’s captivating allure never wavered. He managed to bribe guards, ensuring a comparatively luxurious lifestyle within the confines of his cell.

In 1986, he cleverly engineered an audacious jail break from the expansive Tihar Jail, which covers 271 acres. He disguised his escape plan by pretending it was a celebration for someone’s birthday, spiked the food served to the staff with a drug, and then walked out unnoticed.

Several professionals contend that this breakout was strategically orchestrated as a means to dodge extradition to Thailand, potentially facing capital punishment there.

On December 21st, 2022, Nepal’s highest court granted Sobhraj’s release from prison due to health concerns. He was freed on December 23rd and is currently enjoying freedom in France.

Stay tuned with TopMob for more updates!

2025-01-27 17:38