What originally was a highly coveted launch turned out to be a very disappointing debut in the eyes of many viewers.
The excitement surrounding the new installment was supposed to be exhilarating for people who enjoy the work of Pankaj Tripathi. Unfortunately, the release of the fourth season was disrupted when JioHotstar made only 3 out of the ten episodes available on the 22nd of May, 2025. As a result of this, there was a lot of Xwitter activity that described the outrage at JioHotstar for underwhelming the “criminal justice” fans and putting out frustratingly low content.
The lack of a complete release continues to rub viewers the wrong way, since many feel that this compounded strategy is contrary to the all-encompassing immersion that Criminal Justice is revered for. One fan on X complained, “Why string us along with only three episodes? It’s as ridiculous as being told halfway through a book that you can’t read the rest!” A viewer with a decidedly different stance vowed, “I’m not watching until all the episodes are released. This approach completely ruins the viewing experience.”
A Criminal Justice Staggered Release Strategy
This is far from the first time that Criminal Justice has employed a staggered release strategy. The show is an official adaptation of the 2008 British TV series Criminal Justice and has previously been known to inconsistently release episodes in chunks. The first season came out on April 5 2019, the second on December 24 2020, and the third on August 26 2022, all dragged out over several weeks (Wikipedia). In spite of this precedent, fans seem to be reaching a breaking point, arguing that such a strategy distracts from enjoying the show and diminishes its overall success.
The disappointment is especially sharp with the regard to the greatly anticipated Season 4, which comes with a great expectation with Pankaj Tripathi starring as the ever adored lawyer Madhav Mishra and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, Mita Vashisht, Asha Negi, Shweta Basu Prasad, Khushboo Atre, and Barkha Singh, all featuring as well under the direction of Rohan Sippy (News18).
Social Media Fandom Reactions
The rage on X has been equally furious with fans venting out their grievances live as the event unfolded. Some express their love for the series while criticizing the release plan, like the user who said “Criminal Justice deserves better. Dropping three episodes and making us wait is a disservice to the story as well as the fans.” Others take a more hardline approach, claiming they will not watch the show until it is fully released because they believe that the incomplete release will dilute the show’s cultural influence.
The fierce and intricate responses from fans provide glimpses of the deep investment that fans have in the show. Over the years, Criminal Justice has amassed a loyal fan base due in large part to the devices storytelling, multi layered characters, and Tripathi’s stunning portrayal of Madhav Mishra. The shows combination of legal battles intertwined with moral dilemmas hounds the imagination of audiences which makes the controversy around the release frustrating.
The Show’s Legacy and Forecasts
Criminal Justice has been a highpoint of OTT content in India since its first release in 2019. The series produced by Applause Entertainment features well-received content within the OTT space and achieves critical acclaim for its storytelling and performances (IMDb). In line with expectations, Season 4 which was released on JioHotstar, Tripathi’s natural charm and Surveen Chawla captivating performance left many fans satisfied with the initial reviews. Impressing glimpses from the reviews led to high expectations. (News18 Review)
The shows adaptation from the British is considered one of the best because of its detailed and sophisticated treatment of law and ethics for Indian audiences. The fourth season is assured to deliver more of the already intense courtroom battles and emotional flair, which the fans have grown used to, contributing to the partial release becoming even more tantalizing to the audience.
Will JioHotstar Respond?
As the anger continues, what remains to be seen is if JioHotstar will think twice about its releases. Demand for a entire season drop signifies that there is a more fundamental shift in the viewing habits of the audience as many prefer to binge-watch episodes rather than consume content on a weekly basis. This has been quite evident with the success garnered by certain platforms and JioHotstar is being hoped to take a note.
As of now, the excitement and vexation of fans regarding the remaining episodes of Criminal Justice 4 is a rollercoaster ride. Suffice to say, the passion of the audience is truly undenied, and the frenzy as described in social media showcases the dire need and wish fans are echoes across multiple social media platforms. If they become successful in mobilizing together will JioHotstar answer them wherever they heed the audience. But one thing is clear, love for Criminal Justice and love for Pankaj Tripathi as Madhav Mishra remains undying.
