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On 29th July 1981, while the eyes of the world are on London and captivated by the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, an eight-year-old boy disappears on his way home from the celebrations. Despite a huge police search he is never seen alive again. Seven months later his partial remains are discovered in a small patch of woodland in rural Sussex, many miles from home. Forty years on, and despite the emergence of new evidence, no-one has been brought to justice for the abduction and death of Vishal Mehrotra and the police appear to have exhausted all their leads. Then one day, as the world is going into lockdown in 2020, a BBC local reporter receives a secretive message from a person who has worked within the police – they tell him they’ve seen something extraordinary that could blow the case wide open. That call sets in motion an epic true story - an astonishing podcast investigation, three years in the making, that has consequences no-one could have imagined. As the team investigate they track down and question a convicted paedophile, a teacher who fled the UK while being questioned by police in relation to child sexual abuse in the 1990s and has been on the run across the world for over 25 years. Most shocking of all, the series discovers that a UK police force had been aware for years he’d been at the address and had decided not to try to bring him back - while telling Vishal’s family that he hadn’t been located. The disappearance of Vishal Mehrotra is a case that haunts our age: a case that has repeatedly fallen through the cracks over 40 years – the cracks of our justice system, of our collective attention, of who we choose to listen to and who we don’t. In this extraordinary podcast series, Vishal’s 30 year old half-brother Suchin Mehrotra and investigative reporter Colin Campbell set out to gather the pieces and try to get answers. What they uncover takes them deep into the disturbing underworld of what appears to be a completely separate crime - and sends them halfway across the globe in a search for the truth. Alongside a deeply moving personal story about the toll of this tragedy on one family across generations, what also emerges is a picture of all of us and the world we live in now.
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After the series launches Colin is approached by people who say they have information – things noticed decades before and never forgotten. But 40 years on can these memories push the investigation forward? If you have been affected by child sexual abuse, help and support is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Following Colin’s visit the police get involved – and the team receive shocking news. And, as the investigation draws to a close, a tantalising distant memory brings one more suspect into the frame... If you have been affected by child sexual abuse, help and support is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline Presented by Colin Campbell and Suchin Mehrotra Series written and produced by Satiyesh Manoharajah Episode 9 producer: Jolyon Jenkins Series audio production, sound design and original music: Steve Urquhart Episode sound design and mix: Arlie Adlington Executive producer: Alistair Jackson Archive Producer: Helen Carr Production Co-ordinator: Juliette Harvey Production Manager: Elaina Boateng Production Executive: Laura Jordan-Rowell Creative Director: Georgia Moseley Series Developed by Satiyesh Manoharajah and Colin Campbell Editorial consultants: Jackie Malton and Shaun Keep Legal Advisors: Sarah McColl and Andrew Downey Editorial Policy Advisors: Matthew Eltringham and Kim Barrington Archive from BBC Archive and Fremantle Artwork: Victoria Ford Voice actor: Paula Goldstein Solo Violin performed by Esme Bryden Additional research: Christian Dametto and Bushra Siddiq This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The investigation team make a shocking discovery that sends Colin halfway across the world. It’s a huge gamble for one last shot at the truth – but will he find what he’s looking for? If you have been affected by child sexual abuse, help and support is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline Presented and investigated by Colin Campbell Series written and produced by Satiyesh Manoharajah Episode producer: Jolyon Jenkins Episode sound design and mix: Arlie Adlington Original music: Steve Urquhart Executive producer: Alistair Jackson This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why has Vishal’s case remained unsolved for so many decades? Suchin takes a step back from the investigation to look at the bigger picture. What has brought his family to this point? And what’s really going on? If you have been affected by child sexual abuse, help and support is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline Presented by Suchin Mehrotra Series written and produced by Satiyesh Manoharajah Audio production, sound design and original music: Steve Urquhart Executive producer Alistair Jackson This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After gathering his evidence Colin goes searching – and comes face to face with a man who has a very big question to answer. And following his investigation the police visit Vishal’s family with news... If you have been affected by child sexual abuse, help and support is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline Presented and investigated by Colin Campbell Series written and produced by Satiyesh Manoharajah Episode producer: Jolyon Jenkins Episode sound design and mix: Arlie Adlington Original music: Steve Urquhart Executive Producer: Alistair Jackson This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Colin meets a witness – and a group of men bravely tell him what happened to them at school 40 years ago when they were boys, in the hope that what they know may help the investigation into Vishal’s disappearance... If you have been affected by child sexual abuse, help and support is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline Presented and investigated by Colin Campbell Series written and produced by Satiyesh Manoharajah Audio production, sound design and original music: Steve Urquhart Executive Producer: Alistair Jackson This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Decades pass without an answer. But in 2020 lightning strikes. A BBC reporter gets a mysterious call – the man says he’s been deep within the police and he’s seen something that might blow the case wide open... Presented by Suchin Mehrotra and Colin Campbell Series written and produced by Satiyesh Manoharajah Audio production, sound design and original music: Steve Urquhart Executive producer: Alistair Jackson This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Many miles from home two men make a chance discovery. Vishu gets a call at work, the media descend – and life for this family will never be the same again. Presented by Suchin Mehrotra Series written and produced by Satiyesh Manoharajah Audio production, sound design and original music: Steve Urquhart # Executive producer: Alistair Jackson This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A massive search for the missing child swings into action. The police comb London, the TV news appeals for information, the public report sightings - and suspicion falls on his father... Presented by Suchin Mehrotra Series written and produced by Satiyesh Manoharajah Audio production, sound design and original music: Steve Urquhart Executive producer: Alistair Jackson This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A young family joins the crowds to celebrate the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in central London. But on the way home one of the children disappears and a nightmare begins. Presented by Suchin Mehrotra Series written and produced by Satiyesh Manoharajah Audio production, sound design and original music: Steve Urquhart Executive producer: Alistair Jackson. This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the day Prince Charles marries Lady Diana a boy in the crowd vanishes. This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ranking source
Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed September 20, 2026.
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