Shams Tahir Khan, Managing Editor at Aaj Tak and CrimeTak, is one of India's most renowned crime reporters, known for his unique and sensitive approach to crime journalism with a career spanning over three decades.
He has been awarded the Forensic Leadership Excellence Award at the 15th IASR International Conference on Forensic Science for revolutionizing the way crime stories are reported on Indian television with a more human touch, investigative, and storytelling-driven approach to crime reporting.
Early Career and Rise in Crime Reporting
Shams began his career in journalism in 1993 as a crime reporter for the Hindi daily Jansatta, where he developed his investigative skills and gained a deep understanding of crime-related stories. After spending seven years with Jansatta, he joined TV Today Network Ltd. (Aaj Tak) in 2000. It was a time when television news in India was rapidly evolving. With extensive experience in crime reporting, he easily took on the challenges of this new medium and soon became a prominent figure in TV crime journalism.
Revolutionizing Crime Shows on Indian Television
Shams Tahir Khan is widely recognized for conceptualizing and anchoring some of India's most popular crime shows. The weekly crime show "Jurm" on Aaj Tak he created became an instant hit. Following the success of this show, he produced and anchored “Vardaat,” a daily half-hour crime show. The show became a household name in India. Both the shows were exceptionally unique in their concept and therefore set the standard for crime reporting on Indian television and influenced other news channels too.
In addition to his work on Jurm and Vardaat, Shams played a key role in launching "Raaz," a crime show focused on the use of forensic science in solving crimes. This show was the first of its kind on Indian television, focusing on the role of forensic investigation in criminal cases.
Leadership and Coverage of Major Crime Incidents
As the head of the crime team at Aaj Tak, Shams has guided his team in covering some of India's most significant crime and terrorism-related incidents. His deep understanding of the crime and his leadership have ensured that Aaj Tak always leads the arena of crime journalism in the country. His ability to report with sensitivity and insight has earned him a loyal following, both on television and in the digital space.
Beyond television, Shams has made a successful transition into digital media also through Digital Crime Tak, a platform that brings his signature investigative storytelling to a vast online audience. The show is hosted daily at 9 p.m. and has become highly popular. This show earned him a lot of applause from the viewers, who appreciate his ability to combine detailed investigation with engaging storytelling methods.
A Unique Approach to Investigative Crime Journalism
What sets Shams Tahir Khan apart from other crime reporters is his humane approach to crime stories. His focus while presenting crime stories is not merely on the crime itself but also on the human element behind each case, and this brings a level of sensitivity and empathy that is often missing in modern crime journalism. His distinctive storytelling style has gained him much popularity and made him an adorable figure in Indian journalism by giving crime reporting a new and thoughtful angle.
Dr. Ranjeet Singh, along with IASR, Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science, Clue4Evidence Forensic Lab, and the entire organizing committee, acknowledges Shams Tahir Khan’s efforts in redefining crime reporting in India, delivering crime shows in innovative ways, and dominating both television and digital media with his leadership qualities. His commitment to investigative journalism, combined with his ability to tell crime stories with a compassionate touch, has strengthened his legacy as a creator in the field.