You may have heard the name ‘Natwar Lal,’ or seen Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayal of him in the movie Natwar Lal, but do you know who the real Natwar Lal was? How did he look, and what were his exploits? If your answer is ‘no,’ then let us introduce you to one of India’s most notorious fraudsters and reveal the details of his remarkable and criminal career.
The Master Of Deception
Natwar Lal earned a reputation as a con artist capable of selling anything, even the most iconic landmarks in India. Yes, you read that correctly—he once sold the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Parliament House, and Rashtrapati Bhavan.
These fraudulent transactions weren’t one-time occurrences either; Natwar Lal pulled off scams involving these historic structures not just once, but multiple times.
His audacity and cunning made him infamous as the biggest fraudster in India’s history, even surpassing Charles Sobhraj. Over the years, hundreds of fraud cases were registered against him, although the full extent of his crimes remains unknown.
The Early Life Of A Criminal Genius
Born in the village of Jiradei, located in Siwan district, Bihar, Natwar Lal’s crimes spanned multiple states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi. For years, he kept authorities on edge, evading capture with ease.
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At one point, as many as eight states offered rewards for his capture. Though he is no longer alive, Natwar Lal’s legacy lives on in the form of stories, proverbs, and folk tales. His name became so synonymous with fraud that, to this day, any fraudster who is caught is often referred to as ‘Natwar Lal.’
A Master Of Escape
Natwar Lal was not just a criminal; he was a master of escape. His crimes were executed with a dramatic flair, but his getaways were even more spectacular. One of the most famous stories of his escape occurred during his time in Tihar Jail, Delhi.
He was being transferred to Kanpur for a court appearance. There escorted by two jawans and a havildar from the Uttar Pradesh Police. The plan was to board the Lucknow Mail from Old Delhi Railway Station.
As the crowd surged around the station, Natwar Lal saw an opportunity. He convinced one of the constables to fetch him some medicine, claiming he had no money but would pay him back later. With the constable gone, Natwar Lal then sent another officer to fetch water, leaving just one constable with him.
He used this moment to tell the remaining constable that he needed to go to the bathroom. Exploiting the constable’s uniform, he asked if he could hold onto the rope, claiming it would help him enter the bathroom more quickly due to his inability to stand.
In the chaos of the crowded station, Natwar Lal seized his chance. He slipped into the crowd, vanished without a trace, and escaped yet again. This was the 60th time he had evaded capture, and the three policemen who had been guarding him were promptly suspended.
The Legend Lives On
Natwar Lal’s ability to outsmart authorities became the stuff of legend. His name became synonymous with fraud and escape, cementing his place as one of India’s most infamous criminals.
Despite his death, his story continues to captivate and inspire tales of cunning and deception. To this day, the phrase “like Natwar Lal” is used to describe any con artist or fraudster who pulls off an extraordinary scam.
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