Akshay Kumar’s ‘Rustom’ is inspired by this real life story and it is a must read

Nanavati used to be away most of the time due to his naval assignments. His wife, Sylvia, fell in love with his friend Prem Ahuja, who was involved with other girls also.

When Nanavati came back home from one of his assignments, he found Sylvia depressed. When asked, Sylvia confessed about her affair with Ahuja. Nanavati was upset. As promised earlier, he dropped his family at the Metro Cinema for a show, but he did not go. He went to Ahuja’s house and asked him whether he intended to marry Sylvia. Prem replied “Will I marry every woman I sleep with?” and Nanavati shot at him thrice with his service revolver.

In court, the main argument was on whether Nanavati shot Ahuja in the ‘heat of the moment’ or whether it was a premeditated murder. Nanavati pleaded not guilty in court and his lawyers argued it as a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Nanavati was viewed as a patriotic person and had no criminal background and he willingly surrendered. The Bombay Session Court pronounced him not guilty under Section 302. But, the Bombay High Court sentenced him to life imprisonment for culpable homicide amounting to murder. The Supreme Court also upheld the conviction

But, Nanavati gained huge support from public, the Indian Navy and the Parsi community. Rallies were held on the streets demanding pardoning of the convicted officer. Prem’s sister Mamie Ahuja was persuaded to forgive Nanavati. She gave her assent for his pardon in writing and Nanavati was released after spending three years in jail.
After his release, Nanavati with his wife Sylvia and three children shifted to Canada. He died in 2003.