I Want the Truth: Author Who Accused Chetan Bhagat of Plagiarism

Anvita Bajpai said that there are scenes and even names in the book which share uncanny similarities.

Anvita Bajpai said that there are scenes and even names in the books which share uncanny similarities. (Photo: Rythum Seth/The Quint)

Has Chetan Bhagat plagiarised his latest novel?

Bengaluru-based author Anvita Bajpai has claimed he lifted ideas from her book Life, Odds & Ends for his One Indian Girl.

The Quint spoke to Bajpai who filed a lawsuit against the author and in whose favour the Bengaluru court ruled, ordering a temporary injunction on the sale of Bhagat’s book.

Bajpai said she had met Bhagat in 2014 at the Bengaluru Literature Festival and had given him a copy of her book for critiquing.

I read my own book and Bhagat’s book twice and saw the similarities in the storylines. A few scenes are common and even a few names in the book are common.

Anvita Bajpai

Bajpai spoke of how she found out about the alleged plagiarism, how she took on a big name like Bhagat with the help of her lawyers and what she’s seeking as reparation for her ideas allegedly being used by the author for his profit.

I was confused if I should really pursue the case given that I have a day job, a child to take care of and then a lawsuit would only add extra stress... but I couldn’t ignore this and let it go.

Video Editor: Vivek Gupta

Also Read: Chetan Bhagat Accused of Plagiarism, Book Sales Stayed by Court