# Surender Mohan Pathak

Surender Mohan Pathak (born 19 February 1940) is an author of Hindi-language crime fiction with nearly 300 novels to his credit. His writing career, along with his full-time job in Indian Telephone Industries, Delhi, began in the early 1960s with his Hindi translations of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels and the works of James Hadley Chase. He also wrote his own James Bond series.
His first short story, 57 saal puraana aadmi (५७ साल पुराना आदमी, The Man 57 from Years Ago), was published in a Hindi magazine Manohar Kahaniyaan (मनोहर कहानीयां) in 1959. His first full-length novel, Purane Gunah Naye Gunahgar (Sunil Series), was published in Neelam Jaasoos (a Hindi crime fiction magazine) in 1963.
His major work began with what is called the "Sunil" series (सुनील-सीरीज़) which consists of at least 122 novels. Sunil, a debonair and upright investigative journalist for the fictional daily newspaper Blast, lives in the fictional city of Rajnagar, a metropolitan city located on the coastline. Sunil has a quixotic nature when it comes to damsels in distress, which happens only too often. He is a man in his 30s, who is willing to go any lengths in pursuit of justice, mostly with help of his best friend Ramakant Malhotra, a dipsomaniac and owner of a club called Youth Club. His attempts to protect the innocent often result in Sunil ending up on the wrong side of the law, bringing him face to face with Inspector Prabhudayal, the exceptionally strict and incorruptible officer in charge of the homicide division of the Rajnagar Police.
The "philosopher" detective Sudhir Kumar Kohli is the protagonist of Pathak's Sudhir Series, all narrated in the first person. Sudhir is the diametric opposite of Sunil, proudly proclaiming himself dilli ka khaas kism ka haraami who frequently enlists the help of Inspector Devender Kumar Yadav, who can easily be persuaded to do something dishonest. A recent novel of this (in)famous series has been translated by Giriraj Sharan (uncredited) and published by Diamond Books under the title The Last Goal.
However the best-known series of novels of Pathak is Vimal (विमल), a.k.a. Sardar Surender Singh Sohal (सरदार सुरेन्द्र सिंह सोहल), a.k.a. another dozen names he uses to camouflage his identity in the Mumbai underworld. Vimal is a Robinhood like character, who is constantly on the run from the law due to circumstances out of his control. He has taken up arms against gangsters like Rajbahadur Bakhia and, after killing him, his next avatar Iqbal Singh and then Vyaas Shankar Gajre. The Sardar has associates like Tukaram and his henchmen, like Wagle and Irfan, etc. Vimal is not a private detective or police inspector but a criminal wanted in seven states.
In addition, Pathak has also authored several novels not belonging to any specific series, which are labelled as 'thriller' novels irrespective of their storyline. Many collections of joke books compiled by Pathak have also been published. Several authors have been known to plagiarise or "borrow" heavily from his works.

## Series works
### Sunil Series

| S. No. | Name of The Novel | Estimated year of publication |
| 1) | Purane Gunaah Naye Gunahgar | Oct 1963 |
| 2) | Samudra Me Khoon (Dharti Ka Swarg) | May 1964 |
| 3) | Hotel Me Khoon | Nov 1965 |
| 4) | Badsurat Chehre | Dec 1965 |
| 5) | Blackmailer Ki Hatya (Ek Teer Do Shikar) | Feb 1966 |
| 6) | Hong Kong Mein Hungama(Desh Drohi) | Mar 1966 |
| 7) | Murti Ki Chori | Mar 1966 |
| 8) | Shaitaan Ki Maut (Benakab Chehra) | May 1966 |
| 9) | Reporter ki hatya | Jun 1966 |
| 10) | Aastin ke saanp | Aug 1966 |
| 11) | Hatyare (Rahashya Ke Dhaage) | Sep 1966 |
| 12) | Red circle society | Nov 1966 |
| 13) | Ye aadmi khatarnaak hai (Khatarnaak Apradhi, Karl Plumer Ki Vaapsi) | Jan 1967 |
| 14) | Khatarnaak black mailer | July 1967 |
| 15) | Hong Kong ke lootere | Sept 1967 |
| 16) | Hatya ki raat | Nov 1967 |
| 17) | Bandar ki karamaat | Dec 1967 |
| 18) | Kaala moti | Jan 1968 |
| 19) | Double role | Feb 1968 |
| 20) | Safal Apradhi | March 1968 |
| 21) | Jhoothi Aurat | May 1968 |
| 22) | Murda Jee Utha | July 1968 |
| 23) | Shahi Mehmaan | Aug 1968 |
| 24) | Flat me Laash | Nov 1977 |
| 25) | Farrar Apradhi | Apr 1969 |
| 26) | Operation Double Agent | July 1969 |
| 27) | Darpok Apradhi | Sept 1969 |
| 28) | Landan Me Hungama | Oct 1969 |
| 29) | Dohri Chaal | Nov 1969 |
| 30) | Vikshipt Hatyara | Jan 1970 |
| 31) | Yorop Me hungama | Jan 1970 |
| 32) | Vinash ke Badal | Feb 1970 |
| 33) | Operation Piking | May 1970 |
| 34) | Barud aur Chingari | Jun 1970 |
| 35) | Khooni Neckles | Aug 1970 |
| 36) | Pakistan Ki Hashina(Operation Pakistan) | Sept 1970 |
| 37) | Operation General K | Nov 1970 |
| 38) | Akhiri Shikar | March 1971 |
| 39) | Call Girl ki Hatya | July 1971 |
| 40) | Khoon hi Khoon | Sept 1971 |
| 41) | Aman ke Dushman | Dec 1971 |
| 42) | Hijack | Jan 1972 |
| 43) | Doosri Hatya | Apr 1972 |
| 44) | Ek Khoon Aur | July 1972 |
| 45) | Bashra Me Hungama | Jan 1973 |
| 46) | Accident | Apr 1973 |
| 47) | Sinha Murder Case | May 1973 |
| 48) | Neeli Tasveeren | July 1973 |
| 49) | Operation Dhaka | Aug 1973 |
| 50) | Blackmail | Oct 1973 |
| 51) | Khiladi Ki Hatya | Nov 1973 |
| 52) | Rahashya Ka Andhera | Dec 1974 |
| 53) | Maut Ki Chhaya | Feb 1975 |
| 54) | Triple Cross | Apr 1975 |
| 55) | Double Mission | July 1975 |
| 56) | Spy Chakra | Sept 1975 |
| 57) | Single Shot | Dec 1975 |
| 58) | Chor Sipahi | Nov 1975 |
| 59) | Operation Singapore | March 1976 |
| 60) | Kaali Haveli | May 1976 |
| 61) | Pisach Ka Pratishodh | July 1976 |
| 62) | Khoon Ka Khel | Nov 1976 |
| 63) | Naya Din Nayi Laash | Feb 1977 |
| 64) | Shooting Script | May 1977 |
| 65) | Tashveer ki Shahadat | May 1977 |
| 66) | Sex scandal | Sept 1977 |
| 67) | Jaan Ka Khatara | Dec 1977 |
| 68) | Laash Ka Katl | March 1978 |
| 69) | Double Murder | Apr 1978 |
| 70) | Jasoosh ki Hatya | Jun 1978 |
| 71) | Star Night Club | Jul 1978 |
| 72) | Garm Laash | Nov 1978 |
| 73) | Band Darwaja | Jan 1979 |
| 74) | Andhere Ki Cheekh | March 1979 |
| 75) | Maut Ki Aahat | March 1979 |
| 76) | Meena Murder Case | July 1979 |
| 77) | Anokhi Chaal | Sept 1979 |
| 78) | Nau July Ki Raat | Jan 1980 |
| 79) | Khaali Kartoosh | Feb 1980 |
| 80) | Office Me Laash | May 1980 |
| 81) | Vish Kanya | Sep 1980 |
| 82) | Park me Laash | Jan1981 |
| 83) | Jhoothi Gavahi | March 1981 |
| 84) | Blow Up | Apr 1981 |
| 85) | Top Secret | May 1982 |
| 86) | Sangeen Jurm | Apr 1982 |
| 87) | Jadugarni | Apr 1983 |
| 88) | Khoon se ranga Chaku | May 1983 |
| 89) | Andheri raat | July 1983 |
| 90) | Main Begunaah Hun | Nov 1984 |
| 91) | Nakaali Varish | Jan 1985 |
| 92) | Peela Gulaab | Sep 1985 |
| 93) | Taza Khabar | Feb 1986 |
| 94) | Kaala Kaarnama | March 1987 |
| 95) | Laash Gayab | Oct 1987 |
| 96) | Front Page | Dec 1988 |
| 97) | Diwali ki raat | May 1989 |
| 98) | Kanoon ka challenge | Aug 1990 |
| 99) | Prime suspect | March 1991 |
| 100) | Goli aur Jahar | Nov 1993 |
| 101) | Papi Parivar | Aug 1994 |
| 102) | Stop press | Apr 1995/99 |
| 103) | Jheri Hatya Kaand | Oct 1995 |
| 104) | Ahirwal case | Sept 1997 |
| 105) | Kamara No.303 | May 1998 |
| 106) | Gunah ki Janjeer | Nov 1998 |
| 107) | Ghar Ka Bhedi | Jan 1999 |
| 108) | Black List | June 2000 |
| 109) | Dhamki | Apr 2001 |
| 110) | Jhansa | May 2002 |
| 111) | Nishani | Sept 2003 |
| 112) | Scandal Point | Oct 2004 |
| 113) | Finger Print | Nov 2004 |
| 114) | Bhakshak | Oct 2006 |
| 115) | Poore chand ki raat | Jan 2007 |
| 116) | Bichaulia | Dec 2007 |
| 117) | Jaal | Oct 2008 |
| 118) | Nakaab | Aug 2009 |
| 119) | Dhabba | June 2010 |
| 120) | Double Game | Aug 2012 |
| 121) | Singla Murder Case | Apr 2014 |
| 122) | Conman | 25 June 2018 |

### Vimal Series

| S. No. | Name of The Novel | Estimated year of publication | Translation |
| 1. | Maut Ka Khel | Jan 1971 |
| 2. | Daulat Aur Khoon | March 1971 |
| 3. | Ishtihaari Mujrim | Dec 1976 |
| 4. | Painsath Laakh ki Dacaity | May 1977 | The 65 Lakh Heist |
| 5. | Aaj Katl Hokar Rahega | Oct 1977 |
| 6. | Bank Van robbery | Apr 1978 |
| 7. | Maut Ka Farmaan | Nov 1978 |
| 8) | Din Dahade Dacaity | Jun 1980 | Daylight Robbery |
| 9) | Ashafal Abhiyaan | Sept 1981 |
| 10) | Khali War | Dec 1981 |
| 11) | Haar Jeet | Dec 1982 |
| 12) | Vimal Ka Insaaf | Jan 1984 |
| 13) | Maut Ka Naach | Mar 1984 |
| 14) | Khoon Ke Aansoon | May 1984 |
| 15) | Jeena Yahan | Aug 1986 |
| 16) | Marna Yahan | Oct 1986 |
| 17) | Chehre Pe Chehra | Nov 1987 |
| 18) | Kismat Ka Khel | Dec 1987 |
| 19) | Paap Ki Nagri | May 1990 |
| 20) | Lekh Ki Rekha | July 1990 |
| 21) | Jahaj Ka Panchhi | April 1992 |
| 22) | Khabardaar Shehari | July 1992 |
| 23) | Maut Ka Rasta | Oct 1992 |
| 24) | Daar se Bichhuda | Nov 1994 |
| 25) | Maut Ke Moonh Me | Jan 1995 |
| 26) | Ultimatum | Aug 1996 |
| 27) | Sau Karod Ki Gullak | Oct 1996 |
| 28) | Chhah Sir Wala Ravan | Dec 1996 |
| 29) | Hazar Haath | Oct 1998 | Framed |
| 30) | Daman Chakra | July 1999 |
| 31) | Chhah Karod Ka Murda | Sept 1999 |
| 32 | Johar Jwaala | Dec 1999 |
| 33) | Chandaal Chaukadi | Oct 2001 |
| 34) | Sher Savari | Nov 2001 |
| 35) | Aag Ka Dariya | Feb 2002 |
| 36) | Zamir Ka Qaidi | Dec 2005 |
| 37) | Karm yodha | March 2006 |
| 38) | Palatwar | Jun 2006 |
| 39) | Chambur Ka Data | Jan 2011 |
| 40) | Laal Nishan | May 2011 |
| 41) | Sada Nagara Kooch Ka | Aug 2011 |
| 42) | Jo Lade Deen Ke Het | Sep 2014 |
| 43) | Qahar | Apr 2019 |
| 44) | Jaake Bairi Sanmukh Jeeve | Aug 2019 |
| 45) | Main Apraadhi Janam Ka | Apr 2021 |
| 46) | Gang of Four | March 2022 |

### Sudheer Series

| S. No. | Name of The Novel | Estimated year of publication | Translation |
| 1) | Aakhiri Koshish | March 1980 |
| 2) | Malika Ka Taaz | Jun 1980 |
| 3) | Goli Ki Aawaj | Nov 1980 |
| 4) | Nymphomaniac | March 1982 |
| 5) | Safed Khoon | March 1985 |
| 6) | Late News | Jan 1987 |
| 7) | Khooni ghatana | March 1988 |
| 8) | Akhiri Maksad | Dec 1990 | The Last Goal(2011) |
| 9) | Katl ka suraag | Dec 1993 |
| 10) | Panchva nishaan | March 1994 |
| 11) | Ghatak Goli | March 1997 |
| 12) | Gade Murde | Dec 1997 |
| 13) | One way Street | Sept 1998 |
| 14) | Khatare ki ghanti | March 2000 |
| 15) | Golden girl | Nov 2002 |
| 16) | Bazi | March 2003 |
| 17) | Overdose | June 2005 |
| 18) | Ghaat | Sept 2005 |
| 19) | Pyada | Jun 2009 |
| 20) | Choron ki baarat | Feb 2012 |
| 21) | Bahurupiya | Sept 2013 |
| 22) | Insaaf Do | Mar 2017 |
| 23) | Paanch Din | May 2023 |

### Thrillers

| S. No. | Name of The Novel | Estimated year of publication |
| 1) | Chaar Apradhi | Apr 1968 |
| 2) | Car Me Laash | Oct 1974 |
| 3) | Katl Ki Vaardaat | May 1976 |
| 4) | World-famous Mystery Stories | March 1977 |
| 5) | Gangwaar | Dec 1977 |
| 6) | Aage bhi Maut Pichhe Bhi Maut | Nov 1978 |
| 7) | Eye Witness | Jun 1979 |
| 8) | Anokhi Raat | Aug 1980 |
| 9) | Dafa 302 | Oct 1980 |
| 10) | Khooni Haveli | Jan 1981 |
| 11) | Meri Jaan Ke Dushman | March 1981 |
| 12) | Intequam | Oct 1981 |
| 13) | Lambe Haath | Nov 1982 |
| 14) | Vishvash Ki Hatya | Feb 1983 |
| 15) | Khaali Makan | Sep 1983 |
| 16) | Bivi Ka Hatyara | Aug 1984 |
| 17) | Vo Kaun Thi | May 1985 |
| 18) | Ek Karod Ka Joota | Jun 1985 |
| 19) | Dial-100 | July 1985 |
| 20) | Teen Din | Jan,1986 |
| 21) | Maut Ka Aatank | Apr 1986 |
| 22) | Dus Minute | Dec 1986 |
| 23) | Kaagaj Ki Naav | Jun 1987 |
| 24) | Jeene Ki Saaja | July 1988 |
| 25) | Beesh Laakh Ka Bakra | Aug 1988 |
| 26) | teeshara kaun | Jan 1989 |
| 27) | Paanch Paapi | May 1989 |
| 28) | Gunaah ka karz | May 1991 |
| 29) | Shak ki sui | Oct 1991 |
| 30) | Ek hi anjaam | April 1992 |
| 31) | Tadi Paar | Apr 1993 |
| 32) | Ajad paanchi | Aug 1993 |
| 33) | Mavali/Kampata shahar | June 1995/2002 |
| 34) | Maut Aayi Dabe Paanv | Jun 1997 |
| 35) | Fifty-Fifty | May 1998 |
| 36) | Sazish | Jan 2000 |
| 37) | Dahashat Gardi | Dec 2000 |
| 38) | Ek hi rasta | Apr 2003 |
| 39) | Do Gaj Kafan | Jan 2005 |
| 40) | Makad Jaal | May 2007 |
| 41) | Grand Master | Aug 2007 |
| 42) | Gavahi | March 2010 |
| 43) | Secret Agent | Nov 2012 |
| 44) | Katil Kaun | Jan 2016 |
| 45) | Kaala Naag | Feb 2020 |

### Jeet Singh Series

| S. No. | Name of The Novel | Estimated year of publication |
| 1) | 10 Lakh | Apr 1996 |
| 2) | 30 lakh | June 1998 |
| 3) | 50 lakh | Sept 2000 |
| 4) | Khota sikka | Feb 2004 |
| 5) | Jurrat | May 2004 |
| 6) | Midnight Club | Aug 2008 |
| 7) | Colaba Conspiracy | Feb 2014 |
| 8) | Goa Galata | Feb 2015 |
| 9) | Mujhse Bura Kaun | Apr 2016 |
| 10) | Mujhse Bura Koi Nahin | May 2016 |
| 11) | Heera Pheri | 29 June 2017 |
| 12) | Dubai Gang | Feb 2024 |

### Mukesh Mathur Series

| S. No. | Name of The Novel | Estimated year of publication |
| 1) | Saat Saal Baad | Dec 1994 |
| 2) | Varis | Aug 2002 |
| 3) | Vahashi | Feb 2007 |
| 4) | Crystal Lodge | Aug 2015 |

### Vivek Agashe Series

| S. No. | Name of The Novel | Estimated year of publication |
| 1) | Crime Club | Jan 1991 |
| 2) | Koi Gavah nahi | March 1999 |
| 3) | Ganda khoon | Nov 2003 |
| 4) | Dhokha | Jan 2009 |
| 5) | Teesra Vaar | Dec 2009 |

### Vikas Gupta Series

| S. No. | Name of The Novel | Estimated year of publication |
| 1) | Dhokadhadi | Nov 1981 |
| 2) | Barah saval | Dec 1989 |
| 3) | Aath din | Apr 2008 |

### Pramod Series

| S. No. | Name of The Novel | Estimated year of publication |
| 1) | Maut ka safar. | Oct 1966 |
| 2) | Aadhi Raat Ke baad | Aug 1967 |
| 3) | Jaan Ki Baaji | Oct 1970 |
| 4) | Ek Raat Ek Laash | July 1976 |

### Socials

| S. No. | Name of The Novel | Estimated year of publication |
| 1) | Aasha | Oct 1968 |
| 2) | Ek Mamuli Ladki | Mar 1974 |

### Children Books

| S. No. | Name of The Novel | Estimated year of publication |
| 1) | Kubadi Budhiya Ki Haveli | July 1971 |
| 2) | Betaal Aur Shahjadi | Jun 1972 |

### Short stories

| S. No. | Name |
| 1) | Katl Ki Dawat |
| 2) | Katl Ki koshish |
| 3) | Jaali Note |
| 4) | Swimming Pool Mein Lash |
| 5) | Bhoot Basera |
| 6) | Kitabi Katl |
| 7) | Maut Ka Vilaap |
| 8) | Saat Khat |
| 9) | Taqdeer Ka Tohfa |
| 10) | Jurm Ka Iqbaal |
| 11) | Sakshi |
| 12) | Hum Shakl |
| 13) | Irada-E-Katl |
| 14) | Maut Ki Ghadi |
| 15) | Juye ki Mehfil |
| 16) | Vishalgadh Express |
| 17) | Ghadi ki Gawahi |
| 18) | Aankh ka Tara |
| 19) | Chabi Ka Rahasya |
| 20) | Meenar Wali Haveli |
| 21) | Tipu Sultan ki Diary |
| 22) | Rahasyamayi Naukri |
| 23) | Rahasyamayi Chori |
| 24) | Maut ka Saya |
| 25) | Anokha Jasoos |
| 26) | Shikari Ka shikar |
| 27) | Khuli Khidkee |

### Joke Book

| S. No. | Name of The Novel | Estimated year of publication |
| 1) | Filmi Pathake | Oct 1968 |
| 2) | Diwani Dunia | Dec 1972 |
| 3) | Satrangi Dunia | Jan 1977 |
| 4) | Go Easy On Laugh | Feb 1978 |
| 5) | Rangili Duniya | Sept 1979 |
| 6) | Albeli dunia | Nov 1997 |
| 7) | sajili dunia | March 1999 |
| 8) | Chaabili dunia | Jan 2000 |
| 9) | Atharangi dunia | Nov 2000 |
| 10) | Cartoon Carnival | Aug 2001 |
| 11) | Navrangi dunia | Oct 2002 |
| 12) | Chamkeeli dunia | Feb 2003 |
| 13) | Juicy Joke book | Feb 2003 |
| 14) | Filmi dunia | Apr 2004 |
| 15) | Hathili dunia | June 2005 |
| 16) | Fun-Fun-Funda-1 | Aug 2005 |
| 17) | Fun-Fun-Funda-2 | Aug 2005 |
| 18) | Sabrangi Duniya | Oct 2005 |
| 19) | Manchali dunia | Apr 2007 |
| 20) | Fun-Fun-Funda-3 | March 2008 |
| 21) | Fun-Fun-Funda-4 | March 2008 |
| 22) | Bhadkili Duniya | Oct 2009 |
| 23) | Laff Factory - Vol. 1 | Nov 2010 |
| 24) | Laff Factory - Vol. 2 | Nov 2010 |
| 25) | Laff Factory - Vol. 3 | Nov 2010 |
| 26) | Laff Factory - Vol. 4 | Nov 2010 |

## Influence

The Tandoor scandal in Delhi, in which a man had tried to dispose of the corpse of his victim in a furnace, was an idea taken from Pathak's non-serial novel titled Mawali (मवाली).
In 2006 robbery at UTI Bank, Vikaspuri, a man called Sandeep Bhatnagar looted four million Indian rupees by pretending to be a human bomb. Investigators learned after arresting the culprit that the idea was copied from Zameer ka Qaidi (ज़मीर का क़ैदी), one of the latest Vimal-series novels.

## Translations

Two books from Pathak's popular Vimal series — 65 Lakh ki Dakaiti and Din Dahade Dakaiti — were translated into English under the titles The 65 Lakh Heist and Daylight Robbery by Sudarshan Purohit, a Bangalore-based software engineer. The 65 Lakh Heist was published in March 2009 and Daylight Robbery in January 2010, both by Blaft, a Chennai-based publisher.