Delinquent Chacha (1966) is a wiry, quasi-autobiographical novel by the Indian English author Ved Mehta. The work highlights the story of one of the narrator’s uncles, the eponymous “delinquent chacha,” who is the proverbial black sheep of the family. The narrator, Mohan, also called Kaka, comments on the status quo of the delinquent chacha, the skeleton in the family’s cupboard. Contrasted to the rest of the prosperous family, the aberrant uncle is an abject failure who has, from the beginning, shown negligible performance, progress, or prosperity in his aspirations, collaborations, and partnerships. Nonetheless, the uncle continues to harbor impressive ambitions, believing that he is being scorned by Dame Fortune, who also, fatalistically considered, is hardly seen to smile at him.