Adaalat Story: The Challenge

The Challenge

Disclaimer: We often see this statement (All characters, events, places...) before any TV episode or movie. So apply that here and start reading.

KD's office, 6PM

KD examined the note carefully. He turned it over and read it again:

Tumhe kya lagta hai? Tum mujhe pakde loge? Tum uss Aniket ko nahi bacha paoge. Koshish karte raho.

Varun said, "Sir yeh note aapko mila kab?"

KD replied, "Abhi jab main adaalat se wapas aaya tab. Varun tu aisa kar neeche se yeh pata laga ke yahan kaun kaun aaya tha subah se. Unhe main se koi ek ne yeh chora hai."

"Ji sir."

Varun left the office and KD leaned back to think. The case was twisted. His client was a kid inside a man's body. 3 years ago Aniket had been a normal person until he went into his past due to an incident. And today, 3 years later, Aniket had been blamed for the murder of his elder brother, Adit. And the proof was against Aniket as well. Still KD knew that he was innocent. Now he just had to prove it by bringing this note writer to court.

*****

Adit and Aniket's house, 5 days ago, 10PM

Adit leaned back and closed his eyes. Tomorrow was a big day. He was going to court to give a statement against Anna, the dreaded don of the underworld. The police had tried to set him and Aniket up in a safe house, but Adit had refused. He wasn't giving Anna the satisfaction of knowing that he had gotten scared. So, instead, his house had been set up as a safe house.

Aniket came running out, "Bhaiyya...bhaiyya...wahan...wahan koi hai."

Adit got up and said, "Kahan Aniket? Dekhiyo mujhe."

Aniket hugged his teddy bear tightly and said in a scared voice, "Nahi. Mujhe darr lagta hai."

"Main hoon na. Chalo dikhayo."

But before they could go anywhere the lights went out. Aniket screamed, "Bhai!"

"Main yahani hoon Aniket. Daaro nahi."

Somewhere a glass broke. Adit pulled out his cell phone. He needed to find out where those officers were who were supposed to be outside his home protecting him. Aniket grabbed his arm as he pulled the phone out. Aniket was still scared. Adit said, "Ek minute Aniket. Mujhe ek phone karne do."

Adit pulled his hand out of Aniket's grip and picked up the gun that had been lying on the coffee table in the other hand. But before he could call the officer standing outside his house, 3 shots rang out.

*****

KD's office, Present day, 6:30PM

Varun came back in. KD asked, "Haan kya pata chala hai?"

"Sir yahan toh pure din koi nahi aaya lekin aaj subah se yahan pe, yani building main, 130 log aaye the. Main sab offices jaa kar ek baar pata karta hoon ke inhe main se kitne unhe se sach main milne aaye the."

"Rehne do Varun. Ek sau tees logon main se sab ko har insaan yaad nahi hoga. Aur waise bhi jisne yeh chora hai woh ho sakta hai sach main kisi aur se milne gaya yah gayi thi."

"Sir isse yeh toh sabat hota hai ke Aniket khooni nahi hai."

"Haan hota hai. Lekin yeh adaalat main saboot ke tor pe pesh nahi kar sakte hain kyun ki hume yeh nahi pata hai ke yeh kisne likha hai. Jaiswal saab bari asaani se keh sakte hain ke yeh humne yeh Aniket ne kisi se likhwaya tha."

"Sir toh phir aap kal kya karoge?"

"Varun ek kam kar..."

KD explained a plan to him and then sat back again. Somewhere he was missing something and he had to find it.

*****

Crime scene, 5 days ago, 11:40PM

Inspector Dave bent and examined the body carefully. 3 close range shots had been fired but only Aniket had been found at the spot. Obviously either he was the murderer or someone came from outside. The broken window in the guest bedroom pointed to the second option, but it could be the first option as well since the gun had been found in Aniket's hands.

Dave got up and looked angrily at his 2 officers. Both idiots had been stationed outside the house and both had stepped away from their post for over 20 minutes because some girl had come running to them asking for their help to save her brother. When they had finally come back they had seen the open gate and felt that there was something wrong. When they had seen the body, they had immediately called for him. Now he would have to answer in court when Anna's case came up. But right now it was important to find the murderer. He handed the gun in an evidence bag to one of the officers, "Isse aur laash ko lab bhejo. Aniket kahan hai?"

The officer pointed to the kitchen. Dave pulled out his gun, unloaded it, and went into the kitchen. Aniket was cowering in the corner, while Sunaina was trying to calm him. Sunaina was his psychiatrist who had been called here by Dave. Dave said, "Aniket yeh dekho. Yeh kya hai?"

Dave waved the gun. Aniket's face lit up and he stood up, "Gun."

Then he tried to take it from Dave, saying, "Chor police. Chor police. Main chor. Main jeetonga. Main chor."

After a fake struggle, Dave gave the gun to Aniket. Aniket pointed it at Dave and said, "Hands up. Hands up."

Dave put his hands up. He wanted to see if Aniket could fire a gun or not. As expected, Aniket did fire. At this, Sunaina, who had been watching quietly, stood up, took the gun from Aniket, and said to Dave, "Aap kar kya rahe hain?"

"Khooni ko pakdene ki tyari," Dave replied, looking at Aniket.

"Aniket khooni nahi hai!" Sunaina exclaimed.

"Acha? Adit ki bandook se hi use maara gaya. Uski bandook Aniket ke haathon main aur Aniket ko goli chalni bhi aati hai. Mere liye itna kafi hai Aniket pe shaq karne ke liye."

Sunaina tried to object, but Dave continued, "Main manta hoon ke yeh dimak se ek bacha hai lekin ho sakta hai chor police khelte huye isne aapne bhai ko maar diya."

"Aur Anna aur uske aadmi?"

"Humne Aniket ko agar abhi tak arrest nahi kiya hai woh Anna ki wajah se hai. Anna ke paas wajah thi aur yeh ek professional hit bhi ho sakta hai. Ek baar woh ladki aur uska woh bhai mil jaaye phir sab kuch saaf ho jayega."

Dave had come to the conclusion that those 2 were involved in this and they were going to search for them to solve the case.

*****

KD's office, Present day, 7PM

"Varun ek baar case ko phir se shuru se dekhte hain."

"Ji sir. Paanch din pehle Adit Kumar ka khoon uske hi ghar main hota hai."

"Adit Anna ke khilaaf gavahi dene jaane wala tha. Ek aisi gavahi jo Anna ko sidha phansi pe chara deti. Aur Adit ke gavahi se ek din pehle hi use maara jata hai. Yeh koi ittefaq nahi hai."

"Lekin sir Dave ke hisaab se jo bhi bhai pakda gaya usne yeh kaha hai ke usse paise Aniket ne diye the unhe do officers ko ghar se haatane ke liye."

"Lekin Aniket dimak se ek paanch saal ka bacha hai. Toh woh yeh sab kaise kar sakta hai?"

"Sir aise bhi toh ho sakta hai ke woh Uday abhi bhi jhoot hi bol raha hai."

"Ho sakta hai Varun. Pehle tu woh kam kar jo maine kaha tha aur phir iss Uday se bhi milte hain."

*****

Police station, 4 days ago, 9AM

Dave put the phone down. He said, "Woh bhai mil gaya hai! Chalo!"

But before he could go anywhere Anna was brought in. Dave sent an inspector and two constables to catch Uday, the brother who supposedly had an accident pulling his 2 officers away from their positions at Adit's house.

Dave went into the holding cell and sat down across Anna. "Dekho Anna. Mujhe bas itna jaana hai ke kya tumne Adit ko maarwaya hai ya nahi."

Anna laughed. "Woh saala maar gaya? Acha hai! Ab mere khilaaf zada saboot nahi hai tum logon ke paas."

Dave looked angrily at Anna. "Maine poocha kya tumne use maarwaya."

"Maine chahe kitna bhi mana karoon kya tum yakeen karoge? Maine use nahi maarwaya!"

"Jhoot mat bolo!" Dave got up. "Yeh sab tumhara kiya dhara hai!"

"Dekho Inspector. Agar yeh maine karwaya hota toh main seena thok ke kehta ke maine kiya hai lekin sach yehi hai ke maine kuch nahi kiya hai."

"Acha? Aur hum tumhari baat mann len?!! Bewakoof samjha hai? Jis aadmi ke zariye se yeh sab karwaya hai woh pakda gaya hai," Daya bluffed.

"Ho hi nahi sakta hai kyun ki aisa koi aadmi tha hi nahi. Dekho Inspector main manta hoon ke mujhe faida hoga agar Adit maar jaaye lekin agar mujhe use maarna hota toh main aaj court main usse maarwata kyun ki maine usse yehi dhamki di thi ke main usse court main maar doonga. Agar tumhe sach main koi mila hai toh woh jhoot bol raha hai kyun ki maine aisa kuch nahi kiya hai."

This meant that his informers had been right. They had all said that there was nothing being said about the shooting out on the street. They felt that this meant that the murder was not something done by Anna. In fact the general opinion had been that someone had done this due to a personal enmity and timed it such that Annawould be the first suspect.

Dave signalled for the officers to come and take Anna to court for his 12 o'clock hearing. Now to question Uday and find out what he knew.

*****

Adit and Aniket's house, Present day, 8:15PM

Varun pulled up his bike and stopped outside the house. The constable who was supposed to be at the gate was nowhere to be seen. Varun opened the gate, took his bike in, and then turning off the ignition left it hidden in the grove of trees. He peeked out of the trees and seeing the coast clear he stepped out and ran over to the house.

He slowly made his way around the side of the house looking for an open window or door through which he could enter when he saw another guy peeking through a window. He went up to the guy and tapped him on the shoulder. The guy said, "Ek minute."

Varun tapped him again. The guy shrugged his hand off, "Ek minute kaha naa."

Then the guy froze and turned around. He said, surprised, "Aap...aap...aap kaun?"

"Varun Zaveri. KD Pathak ka assistant. Tum kaun ho?"

"Apun bole toh Srman."

"Yahan kya kar rahe ho?"

"Ji...woh apun...apun...apun..."

Varun interrupted, "Chori karne aaye ho. Haina?"

"Hain? Nahi! Arre apun toh""

"Jo bhi hai ab tum mere saath chaloge. Chalo undar," Varun interrupted.

Varun pushed Srman into the house and then went in after him as well. Varun pushed Srman into a chair and said, "Ab tum yahan pe chup chap bhetho. Mujhe kuch cheezein dekhni hai aur phir tumhe main KD sir ke paas le kar jaonga."

Srman sat down and waited as Varun started looking around the house and taking photos of various areas especially of the crime scene. When he was done he turned to Srman and said, "Chal ab mere saath."

*****

KD's office, 10PM

Varun pulled an objecting Srman into the office. KD asked, "Yeh kaun hai Varun?"

"Sir yeh mujhe Adit ke ghar ke bahar mila. Mujhe lagta hai ke yeh wahan chori karne gaya tha," Varun replied.

"Arre bhai chor do. Apun ne aisa kuch nahi kiya hai. Arre apun udharich isli gayla tha kyun ki apun ko dekhne ka tha ke jab kisi ko goli lagti toh khoon kaise pehleta hai," Srman said.

"Tera naam kya hai?" KD asked.

"Srman boss."

"Srman boss? Yeh kaisa naam hai?" KD asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Arre boss apun ka naam Srman hai. Apun toh khali aap ko boss bula raha tha. Aur boss aap kya boss ho. Arre aap apun ko aapna woh...kya kehe hain...haan assistant bana lo! Apun yeh galat shalat dhande sab band kar dege. Bole toh god promise," Srman rattled on.

"Ek minute ek minute. Main KD sir ka assistant hoon," Varun objected.

"Toh aap baare bhai aur baare assistant aur apun ek dum chota bhai aur chota assistant ke mafik kam karega," Srman said, hugging Varun from a side.

KD looked at Srman probingly and said, "Varun aisa karo isse ek baar iss case pe laga do. Agar yeh acha kam karta hai toh yeh hamara khabri ban sakta hai."

"Arre thank you boss. Apun ek dum maan laga kar kam karega. Dekh lena."

KD added, "Aur iski bhasha bhi sudarne ka prapandh karo," then changing topics, "Ghar se kya mila?"

"Kuch bhi nahi. Naa Aniket ko bachane ke liye kuch mila aur naa hi kuch bhi aisa mila jo usse bacha sakta hai sir," Varun replied.

"Matlab jisne bhi yeh khoon kiya hai usne bahut planning ke saath sab kuch kiya hai. Thik hai. Chalo Uday se milte hain."

KD got up and the 3 left the office.

*****

Police station, 4 days ago, 12PM

After booking Uday, he was set up in an interrogation room. Dave walked into the interrogation room and sat down across Uday comfortably. Then he said, "Haan toh Uday Singh tumhe pata hai ke tumhe yahan kyun laaya gaya hai?"

Uday was comfortably dressed in loose sweatpants and t-shirt. There was no sign that he had been in an accident ever. He simply shrugged his shoulders, "Aap batao. Mujhe kya pata."

"Waise tumhara doctor kaun hai?"

Uday looked confused. "Doctor? Kaunsa doctor? Kaisa doctor?"

"Arre kal raat tumhara accident huya tha naa? Aur subah itne ache khaise dikh rahe ho. Toh doctor koi jadugar hi hoga. Uska naam do zara. Agli baar hum main se kisi ko chot lagegi toh hum uske paas hi jayenge."

Uday wiped the sweat beads that had formed on his forehead as Dave had spoken. He said, "Mera accident? Lekin main toh yahan thik thak bheta hoon. Aur kal raat main toh ghar se bahar bhi nahi nkla."

"Acha. Yani kal raat tum ghar main hi bhete huye the? Yani jinhe police officers ne tumhe dekha woh jhoot bol rahe the? Haina!" Dave slammed the table angrily at the last word.

"Mujhe dekha tha? Lekin main jab ghar main tha mujhe koi kaise dekh sakta hai?" Uday asked.

He was looking frightened but he answered the questions with confidence. Dave got up and went around behind Uday. Leaning down he said, "Dekho Uday. Mujhe majboor maat karo. Abhi toh main araam se pooch raha hoon. Agar main aapni pe utar aaya toh tumhari kaunsi kaunsi hadi tootegi woh mujhe bhi nahi pata."

Uday wiped the sweat on his forehead again and said, "Agar main sab kuch bata doonga toh aap mujhe kuch nahi karenge naa?"

"Kuch nahi karenge. Tumhe sirf yahan pe aur phir court main aapni gavahi deni paregi."

"Sir mujhe paise diye gaye the."

Dave came around again and sat down facing Uday once again. He asked, "Kisne diye the paise?"

"Ek aadmi ne diye the. Usne kaha ke woh ek ladki ko bhejega mere paas aur mujhe accident hone ka drama karna hai aur woh ladki meri behen hone ka drama karegi. Woh ladki sab kuch sambhal legi mujhe sirf kuch deer tak aise natak karna hai jaise mere saar pe bahut chot lagi hai aur jab woh ladki mere kaan main bole utho' toh mujhe aise natak karna hai jaise mujhe hosh aa gaya hai aur main ab aapni behen ke saath chala jaonga."

"Uss aadmi ka chehra dekha hai? Usse pehchan sakte ho?"

"Haan sir. Maine usse pehchan sakta hoon."

"Aur woh ladki?"

"Nahi sir. Maine usse ladki ka chehra nahi dekha. Jab maine behosh hone ka natak kiya toh woh police officers ko lene chali gayi thi aur jab maine hosh main aane ka natak kiya toh woh meri taraf peet karke khadi huyi thi. Jab police officers chale gaye tab woh bhi chali gayi."

"Acha woh aadmi kaun tha?"

"Mujhe uska naam nahi pata hai. Lekin agar main usse dekhonga toh shayad main usse pehchan jaonga."

"Ab yeh shayad kahan se aa gaya? Abhi toh tumne kaha ke tum usse pehchan sakte ho."

"Kaha toh tha lekin kya hai naa ke main uss aadmi se andhere main mila tha. Thodi si roshani aayi thi window se usme uska chehra thoda bahut dekha tha."

"Acha yeh dekho. Inhe main se koi hai woh?"

Dave put Aniket, Anna, and Anna's right hand man's photo on the table. Uday looked through them carefully and then pointed at Aniket's photo. "Yeh."

*****

KD's office, Present day (next day), 8AM

Last night after meeting Uday KD was sure that he could save Aniket. Uday had told him a lot of things that would prove Aniket innocent. And today KD would prove that.

Sunaina came into the office as KD thought about this. KD looked up and said, "Sunaina? Bheto."

Sunaina sat down and asked, "Sir main toh sirf itna poochne aayi thi ke kya aap ko kuch pata chala hai. Kya Aniket bach jayega?"

"Aniket bach jayega. Uske bachne ke liye kafi saboot mil chuke hain mujhe. Adaalat main sab pesh karonga."

"Sir asli khooni ka pata chala?"

"Abhi talash jaari hai. Dekhte hain kya pata chalta hai."

KD didn't want to reveal too much because he suspected even Sunaina. Varun and Srman were out and about following up on the suspects that KD had named. Since Srman was from the informers' side, he could easily get information that was available out on the street, while Varun followed up on the legal side.

*****

KD's office, 4 days ago, 10AM

Sunaina came rushing into the office. "KD Pathak?"

KD looked up from his law book and said, "Ji. Aap kaun hain?"

"Mera naam Sunaina hai. Main ek psychiatrist hoon. Ek case le kar aayi hoon."

"Bheto. Mrs. Billomoria, zara ek glass pani dena inhe."

Mrs. Billomoria brought over a glass of water, which Sunaina quickly gulped down. Once her breath came into control, KD asked, "Acha batao. Kya huya hai?"

"Sir aapne Adit murder case ke baare main suna hai?"

"Yeh wohi case hai naa jahan pe Adit Kumar ko unke hi ghar main raat ke samay, do police officers ke nak ke neeche, goli maar di gayi?" Varun asked.

"Haan wohi hai. Sir aaj uss khoon ke ilzaam main Adit ke chote bhai Aniket ko giraftaar kar liya gaya hai. Main abhi police station se hi aa rahi hoon. Sir Aniket bekasur hai. Woh yeh khoon kar hi nahi sakta hai!"

"Shanti Sunaina. Saaf saaf batao ke woh yeh khoon kyun nahi kar sakta hai?" KD asked.

"Sir Aniket 3 saal pehle tak ek aam insaan ki zindagi jee raha tha. Phir 3 saal pehle uski girlfriend ki maut ek car accident main ho gayi. Uss accident main Aniket ko bhi kafi chot lagi thi. Usse uski girlfriend ki maut ka itna sadma pauncha ke woh aadha pagal ho gaya aur ek aadmi ke sharer main woh ek paanch saal ka bacha ban chuka hai. Main pichle 3 saalon se uska ilaaj kar rahi hoon. Main jaanti hoon uski dimaki halat. Uske liye uska bhai uske baap ki taran tha. Woh aapne bhai ka khoon kar hi nahi sakta hai. Lekin pata nahi kyun police ko yeh lagta hai ke Aniket ne Adit ka khoon kiya hai aur abhi thodi deer pehle usse giraftaar kar liya."

"Dekho Sunaina. Agar jo tum keh rahi ho woh sahi hai toh main yeh case avashya loonga. Lekin pehle mujhe Aniket se ek baar milna hai."

"Zaroor sir. Aap ek baar mere saath chaliye. Main aapko Aniket se milwa doongi. Phir aap hi faisla ki jiyaga ke Aniket bekasur hai yah nahi."

*****

Courtroom, Present day, 9:20AM

KD said, "Your Honor agar aap ki ijazad ho toh main Uday se phir se kuch poochne chahta hoon."

Jaiswal got up and objected, "Your Honor aisa nahi ho sakta hai kyun ki kal hi maine sabat kar diya tha ke Aniket hi qatil hai aur aaj aap faisla sunane wale the. Pathak saab aap waqt barbaad maat ki jiye. Aapko yeh movkil hi qatil hai aur yeh maine sabat kar diya hai toh aap judge saab ko saza sunane di jiye aur case ko khenche maat."

KD turned to Jaiswal and said, "Jaiswal saab shayad aapne woh khavat nahi suni hai."

"Kaunsi khavat?"

"Ke chahiye sau mujhrim chut jaayen lekin bekasur ko kabhi saza nahi honi chahiye," KD turned back to the judge and continued, "Your Honor iss case main bhi kuch aisa hi hai. Aniket bekasur hai aur iska mere paas paka saboot hai."

"Thik hai Uday ko bula lo," the judge said.

Uday was brought in and like last night he gave his true statement again. "Your Honor maine kal court main jo bhi bola tha woh bolne ke liye mujhe paise diye gaye the. Mujhe ek aadmi ne kaha tha ke main aapne aap ko giraftaar karvaon aur phir Aniket ka naam loon. Maine andhere main Aniket ko nahi dekha tha. Maine toh andhere main kisi ko nahi dekha tha. Yeh sach hai ke wahan pe roshani thi thodi si lekin jis taran se woh aadmi khada tha maine usse nahi pehchana tha."

"Aur woh aurat?"

"Woh maine sach kaha tha. Pure waqt yah toh meri aankhen band thi yah uski peet mere taraf thi. Maine uska chehra kabhi nahi dekha."

Uday left and Jaiswal got up and said, "Pathak saab isse yeh toh sabat nahi hota hai ke Aniket qatil nahi hai. Aakhir yeh forensic evidence toh jhoot nahi bol sakti hai. Bandook pe Aniket ke ungli ke nishaan the. Uska kya?"

"Jaiswal saab maine abhi abhi aapke ek saboot ko galat sabat kar diya hai. Aur jahan tak iss bandook ka sawal hai toh agar kisi cheez pe kisi ke ungli ke nishaan paaye jaate hain iska yeh matlab nahi hai ke uss insaan ne woh cheez churayi hai. Bhool gaye? Agar main aapni yeh ghadi yahan giraon aur agar aap uthalo mujhe wapas karne ke liye toh kya iska yeh matlab huya ke aap khooni hai? Sirf isle kyun ki aapke ungli ke nishaan inhe par hain?"

Jaiswal started thinking about that. KD turned to the judge and said, "Sir mere movkil ke khilaaf saboot yehi the ke bandook pe uske nishaan hain aur ek eye-witness ne usse paise liye the ek natak karne ke liye taki uska koi saathi bhi undar aa sakhe. Lekin Your Honor sab yeh bhool gaye ke Aniket ek paanch saal ke bache ki taran hain. Woh khel khel main bandook chala sakta hai lekin itni planning ke saath kisi ka khoon nahi kar sakta hai. Aur yeh baat ko sparsh karne ke liye main Sunaina ko bulane ki ijazat chahta hoon."

The judge gave his permission and Sunaina came up to the dock. KD asked, "Sunaina yeh batao ke tum Aniket ko kaise jaanti ho?"

"Your Honor Aniket mera patient hai. Main pichle teen saalon se iska ilaaj kar rahi hoon."

"Usse huya kya hai?"

"Woh aapni yadash kho kar aapne bachpan main chala gaya hai. Pichle teen saalon se main isse iske aaj main laane ki koshish main lagi huyi hoon."

"Aur kya yeh safal huya hai?"

Sunaina hesitated. KD probed, "Dekhiye jhoot maat bolna aur naa kuch chupana. Yeh adaalat hai aur yahan pe jhoot bolna aur chupana uchat nahi hai. Sab kuch saaf saaf bataye. Kya yeh safal huya hai?"

"Your Honor pichle kuch mahino main mera ilaaj safal ho raha hai. Ab Aniket ko beech beech main dore parte hain aur usse sab kuch yaad aa jata hai aur woh aapne aaj main wapas aa jata hai. Yeh dore zada tar 5 yah 10 minute tak hi hote hain lekin aur phir yeh wapas bacha ban jaata hai."

Jaiswal got up. "Yani 5 ya 10 minute ke liye hi sahi Aniket aapne asli roop main aa jata hai. Toh kafi simple hai. Isne ussi waqt main yeh saari planning ki hogi aur phir jab woh aapne iss roop main aaya toh Uday aur uss ladki ke zariye isne police officers ko unki jagah se hataya aur Adit ka khoon karke wapas bacha ban gaya."

KD chuckled ever so slightly and turned to Jaiswal. "Jaiswal saab aap ko lagta hai ke aisa kuch ho sakta hai? Chalo mann liya ke yeh sab uss 5 se 10 minute ke waqt main kiya Aniket ne. Lekin kya Uday ke saamne Aniket bacha nahi ban jaata aur pakda nahi jaata?" To Uday, "Kyun Uday? Kya woh aadmi kabhi tumhare saamne bache ki taran pesh aaya hai?"

"Nahi sir. Woh toh aapke aur mere taran aam taran pesh aata tha," Uday replied.

"Dekha Jaiswal saab." Then turning back to Sunaina he asked, "Waise aap khoon ki raat uss ghar pe kya karne gayi thi?"

Sunaina looked confused. "Main...main wahan..."

KD interrupted, "Dekhiye jhoot maat boliyega. Woh saamne wale ghar ke watchman ne aapko wahan dekha hai."

Varun had had a chat with the watchmen of the houses in the neighbourhood and indeed the watchman of the house in front of Adit's house had seen a lady, but he hadn't seen Sunaina. KD was bluffing to see if Sunaina would reveal something and get caught. But Sunaina simply said, "Ho hi nahi sakta hai sir. Main wahan gayi hi nahi thi uss raat. Toh phir koi mujhe kaise dekh sakta hai?"

"Acha aap gayi hi nahi thi wahan. Chalo thik hai. Aap bhetiye."

Sunaina went to sit down and KD said, "Your Honor Aniket yeh khoon kar hi nahi sakta hai chahiye kuch bhi ho. Ab toh maine yeh sabat bhi kar diya hai ke jo chashmaded gavah tha woh jhoot bol raha tha. Aur jo yeh bandook pe ungli ke nishaan paaye gaye hain yeh kabhi bhi lag sakte the. Saath hi saath Sunaina ki gavahi ne yeh sabat kar diya hai ke chahiye Aniket kuch deer ke liye aapne aaj main aa jata hai lekin phir bhi woh yeh khoon nahi kar sakta hai. Your Honor yeh khoon kisi aur ne kiya hai aur usne pehle Anna ko phasne ki koshish ki aur phir Aniket ko."

The judge sat silent for afew moments and then said, "KD jo tum keh rahe ho woh sahi hai lekin phir khooni kaun hain?"

"Your Honor khooni wohi hai jisne mujhe yeh chunauti patre likha hai. Usse lagta hai woh bach jayegi lekin woh nahi bachegi. Agar thoda waqt diya jaaye toh mujhe pura yakeen hai ke Inspector Dave uss tak paunch sakte hain."

"Woh ek ladki hai?"

"Ji haan Your Honor. Kyun ki iss patre main saaf saaf mahila itre ki khusboo aa rahi hai aur saath hi saath yahan pe upar nail polish ke kuch ansh paaye gaye hain."

"Thik hai KD. Tamam sabooton aur gavahon ke bayan ke taheyet yeh adaalat iss nataje pe paunchi hai ke Aniket Kumar ne aapne bhai Adit Kumar ka khoon nahi kiya hai. Lihasya yeh adaalat Aniket ko baa izaat baari karti hai aur police ko yeh hukum deti hai ke woh do din main asli khooni ko dhoond kar adaalat main pesh karen."

Pounding the gavel once, the judge dismissed the case. In the public area, she smiled as she thought of the judgment. Ha! Two days. She would never be caught. She shared a glance with her partner who smiled slyly back at her. They were free.

*****

KD's office, 11AM

Varun and Srman were going through the information that they had found. Even though KD had won the case and had freed an innocent person, there was something that had been bothering him ever since he met Aniket the first time. And he wasn't going to rest until he found the murderer himself. The challenge had been given to him, not to Inspector Dave. And it was up to him to find the murderer.

Varun said, "Sir yeh teen log toh bekasur hain. Inhone alag alag waqt pe Adit ko maarne ki dhamki di hogi lekin jis raat khoon huya woh log Adit ke ghar ke aas paas bhi nahi the."

"Boss apun ko bhi yehich pata laga hai. Bole toh sadak pe yehi khoon ki charcha ho raali hai aur sab ka ekich baat kehna hai. Ke yeh koi personal mamla hai. Bole toh koi ek dum kareebi hoga. Warna usko kaise pata hoyenge ke Adit kahan khadele honga aur bandook kidhar paarele hogi," Srman added.

KD looked up and said, "Ek toh tu aapni yeh bhasha sudhar. Yeh kya khadele aur ekich laga rakha hai."

Then KD realized what had been bothering him for so long. He got up and said, "Varun chalo. Mujhe pata hai ke mujhe kya pareshan kar raha hai."

Varun asked, "Kya sir?"

"Srman ne abhi jo kaha hai wohi."

"Ke yeh kisi kareebi ne kiya hai?"

"Haan. Aniket se phir se milna parega."

"Sir aapko lagta hai woh kuch bata payega. Aakhir uska dimak ek paanch saal ke bache jitna hai. Usne kuch dekha bhi hoga toh usse samjh hi nahi aaya hoga ke usne kya dekha hai."

Srman interrupted, "Arre koi apun ko bhi batayega ke idhar ka baat chal rahi hai?"

"Srman tu yahani reh. Varun chal mere saath," KD said.

Varun nodded and the two left the office, leaving behind a confused Srman and an amused Mrs. Billomoria. Srman turned to Mrs. Billomoria and asked, "Aapko samjh aayla hai ke idhar kya ho rela hai?"

"Hum tumhare mafak idiot nahi hai. Humko sab samjh main aata hai," Mrs. Billomoria replied and with that she turned back to watering the plants.

*****

Aniket's house, 12PM

Sunaina laughed. "Yes! We're free! Hum azaad hain! Darling jab tum par KD ne shaq kiya tha toh meri toh havah hi gul hogayi thi lekin thank god uss KD ko zada deer tum par shaq nahi raha. Warna aaj toh hum dono saalkhon ke peeche hote."

Sunaina hugged her lover from behind. He turned around and laughed as well. "Arre woh mujh pe shaq kar bhi nahi sakta hai. Teen saalon main ek paanch saal ke baache hone ka natak karna bahut asaan ho gaya hai."

Yep the lover was none other than Aniket. Aniket who was perfectly normal and had only been acting like a 5 year old. Aniket who was the real murderer of his brother but hadn't been caught and in fact had been proven innocent in court. Sunaina said, "Darling jab tumne yeh sab plan banaya tha toh kisse pata tha ke chaar saal lag jayenge iss plan ko kamyab hone main."

"Chaar saal. Chaar saal pehle maine aapne uss bhai ko marne ka plan banaya tha aur chaar lambe saal mujhe intezaar karna para sirf uss will ki wajah se! Jisme yeh likha tha ke yeh sab kuch mera tabhi ho sakta hai jab main 25 ka ho jaonga. Ab kaal main 25 ka ho jaonga aur yeh sab kuch mera."

"Phir hum yahan se kahin door chale jayenge."

Sunaina hugged Aniket from behind again and rested her head on his shoulder. He put an arm around her and said, "Bilkul. Aur phir hum ek aur note likhenge KD ko. Aur usse yeh batayenge ke kaise usne ek khooni ki madat ki aur ek khooni ko reha karwa diya. Bechara aapne aap ko saari umar kosta rahega."

Aniket laughed again and Sunaina joined in.

*****

On the road, 12PM

KD and Varun were heading towards Aniket's house when KD's phone rang. He picked up. It was Inspector Dave on the other side. Dave said, "KD tumne jo information maangi thi woh mere paas aa gayi hai."

"Haan bata Dave. Kya pata chala hai?"

"Teen saal pehle jis accident main Aniket ki yeh halat huyi thi usme ek Priya naam ki yuva maari thi. Priya ke koi aapne nahi the toh uske ek dost ne uski laash ki shinaqt ki thi."

"Uss dost ka naam?"

"Supriya Patel."

"Iss Supriya Patel ki koi tasveer mil sakti hai?"

"Main dekhta hoon. Agar milegi toh tumhe SMS kar doonga."

"Haan thik hain."

KD hung up and Varun asked, "Sir aapne Inspector Dave se woh accident ki file kyun maangwayi thi?"

After the case had been closed in court, KD had gone over to Inspector Dave and asked him to pull the accident file and check the details for him. Now KD explained why he had done so. "Kyun ki mujhe Sunaina pe shaq hai."

"Lekin sir agar Sunaina pe shaq hai toh uski background check karni chahiye. Yeh accident ki file kyun niklavayi? Aur aapko Sunaina pe kyun shaq hai?"

"Sunaina ke ateet main tu gaya tha aur tere ko jo bhi mila woh sirf paper pe hai. Ab koi insaan aapni puri zindagi ek paper pe toh kaat nahi sakta hai. Koi toh dost yah padosi hona chahiye tha jo tere ko kuch toh bata deta Sunaina ke baare main. Lekin aisa kuch nahi hai. Mujhe shaq hai ke yeh Sunaina Sunaina nahi balki koi aur hai. Aur mujhe yeh shaq hai ke yeh sab uss accident se shuru huya tha. Aur tumhe yaad hai ke maine ek itre aur nail polish ke baare main bataya tha. Aaj jab Sunaina khatkhade main aayi thi toh usne wohi itre laga rakha tha aur uske nails pe bhi wohi rang tha jo uss patre pe tha. Yeh Sunaina zaroor kuch jaanti hai."

*****

Aniket's house, 12:15PM

"Main kuch nahi bahut kuch jaanti hoon," Sunaina said.

"Aur main yeh jaanta hoon ke tumhara naam Sunaina nahi Priya hai," Aniket said. "Meri jaaneman Priya. Jo teen saal pehle maar chuki hai."

"Bechari Supriya. Usse hamare liye marna para," Priya said, pretending to be sad.

"Supriya se achi bakri koi mil hi nahi sakti thi. Ek toh usse aur tumhe koi pehchanta nahi tha iss shehar main aur upar se uska koi parivaar bhi nahi tha bilkul tumhari taran."

"Sab kuch kitna asaan ho gaya naa? Hum dono mile Srinigar main paanch saal pehle. Aur Supriya bhi hume wahani mili teen saal pehle. Wahan Srinigar main ek chota se gaon hi usse jaanta tha. Aur wahan pe itna bura haal ke woh gaon ke log kab alag hoge pata hi nahi chala aur Supriya aa gayi hamare saath Mumbai."

"Yahan aate hi woh ek accident main maar gayi jisme main buri taran se ghayal ho gaya. Haye bechari."

"Aur tum dono ke ghayal hone ke baad maine sirf itna kaha ke woh Priya hai. Tumhari girlfriend. Aur police ne baat mann bhi li. Unhone zada chanbeen ki hi nahi."

"Acha huya nahi ki. Warna hamara raaz khul bhi sakta tha."

"Kaise khulta Aniket? Supriya ke aage peeche koi nahi tha. Zada se zada unhe itna hi pata lagta ke uske baare main zada kuch nahi hai. Shayad anath hone ka yehi faida hai. Koi ateet nahi, koi paperwork nahi, aur koi poochne wala yah baatene wala nahi."

"Lekin main hoon naa," Aniket said hugging Priya from behind.

"Haan tum ho isli toh maine tumhare liye itna sab kuch kar diya. Supriya ke maarne ke baad main Sunaina ban gayi aur aapne psychiatry ki degree ko bhi ussi naam pe dalwa diya aur main ban gayi tumhari psychiatrist Sunaina."

"Phir kya tha. Bas teen saalon tak pagal hone ka natak kiya aur phir waqt aane pe bhai ko tapka diya."

Priya turned around and faced Aniket. "Lekin Aniket mujhe kuch cheezein samjh nahi aayi. Yeh teen saal tak natak kyun kiya? Aur Supriya ko kyun marwaya? Sidha Adit ko maarte kisi aur tareke se. Aur phir yeh Uday aur yeh Anna. Yeh sab kya tha?"

"Priya baat bilkul saaf thi. Jab paanch saal pehle Dad maare aur unki will paari gayi tab mujhe pata chala ke unhone sab kuch aapne uss aankh ke taare ke naam kar diya hai aur mujhe aadhi property aapne 25 hone par hi milti. Aur agar Adit maar jaata toh mujhe saari property milti 25 hone pe. Toh bas bechare Adit bhai ki kurbani deni paari. Supriya ko isli marna para taki Priya maar kar Sunaina ban sakti. Agar tum yunhi gayab ho kar Sunaina ban jaati toh hum phas sake the. Isle tumhara marna zaroori tha. Aur maine yeh pagal hone ka dhong isle kiya taki agar mujh par ilzaam aaye toh main isse aapne bachaon main istamal kar sakhon tumhare zariye se. Teen saal tak isle kiya taki sab ko yakeen ho jaaye ke yeh sab mera plan nahi ho sakta tha kyun ki agar hota toh main pagal hone ke kuch hi dino baad Adit ko maar dalta. Aur yeh Anna ki kahani toh mujhe bhi nahi pata hai. Bas itna pata hai ke Adit ne Anna ko koi khoon karte huye dekh liya tha aur usne dhamki di thi ke jis din Adit gavahi dega ussi din uski maut ho jayegi. Maine toh bas uska istamal kiya aur Adit ko usse din se ek raat pehle maara taki pehla shaq Anna pe jaaye. Uday jaise bewakoof ki zaroorat thi hamare iss plan main kyun ki uski gavahi se yeh sabat ho gaya tha ke ek aurat aur ek samjhdaar aadmi ka plan tha yeh. Aur main tehra pagal. Uday turant keh sakta tha ke main woh aadmi nahi hoon aur usne aise hi kiya. Aur tumhe jaan booj kar bheja uski behen bana kar taki tum uspe nazar rakh sakho. Lekin yaar tumhe bhi mana parega. Tum unhe officers ke saamne aaye bina unhe aapne saath kaise le gayi?"

"Simple. Maine jo aas paas ki saari baatein thi woh bhuja di aur tumhare ghar ke bahar se ghar ki light kaat di. Phir unhe aapne saath le kar gayi. Lekin unhe aapne saath le kar jaane se pehle main yunhi ek pathar le kar tumhare ghar ke taraf phenka taki aisa lage ke khooni bahar se hi aaya tha."

"Darling that was the best move you could ever make. Uss ek move ki wajah se main turant giraftaar nahi huya aur hume aapne agle steps plan karne ka waqt mil gaya."

"Aniket ab aage kya karna hai? Ek aur note bhej den?"

"Ruko abhi thodi deer. Bhej denge. Kaunsa koi jaldi hai humko. Pehle main KD uncle ka shukriya toh kar doon."

"Aur mujhe bhi KD sir ka shukriyada karna chahiye."

But before they could do that the doorbell rang. Aniket quickly went over to the table and pretended to be a 5-year-old kid, while Priya went to the door. She opened the door and was surprised to see KD and Varun, but quickly hid it. "Arre aap? Main aap ko hi phone karne wali thi sir."

"Kyun?" KD asked.

"Woh aapka shukriya karne ke liye ke aapki wajah se Aniket bach gaya aur bekasur sabat ho gaya."

"KD uncle aa gaye, KD uncle aa gaye," Aniket said clapping his hands gleefully. "KD uncle, KD uncle, dost ne kaha hai ke mujhe aapka shukriya karna chahiye isli thank you!"

KD smiled. "Haan woh sab thik hai Aniket."

"Waise Sunaina ek sawal hai aap ke liye. Kya aap kisi Supriya Patel ko jaanti hain?" Varun asked.

Before coming here, KD and Varun had discussed who would ask what to keep Sunaina confused. Priya's smile faded slightly, but she managed to keep it and said, "Naam suna toh nahi hai kabhi. Kyun?"

"Ajeeb baat hai. Priya ki achi dost aur aap usko nahi jaanti hain," KD commented.

"Dekhiye agar aap Priya Kapoor ki baat kar rahe hain toh main sirf itna jaanti hoon ke uski maut ki wajah se Aniket ka yeh haal huya tha. Baki main uske baare main kuch nahi jaanti hoon. Main Aniket ko unhe yaadon se door rakhne ki koshish kar rahi hoon aur agar main uske baar main kuch naa janu toh mere liye better hai."

At that moment KD's phone buzzed. He pulled it out and saw a SMS from Dave. He opened the SMS and was surprised to see that Supriya Patel was standing in front of them. He looked up and said, "Abhi abhi mere paas ek bahut hi interesting cheez aaya hai."

"Woh kya hai?" Priya asked.

"Yehi ke asli khooni ka pata chal gaya hai. Inspector Dave abhi wahani jaa raha hai unhe arrest karne ke liye."

"Kaun hain woh?"

Varun leaned over and looked at the SMS pic as well, while KD said, "Jab woh arrest ho jayenge toh hum sab se pehle unhe aap se hi milwayenge. Waise yeh sab choro aapka yeh itre kafi acha hai. Kaunsa hai? Arre Varun Aniket ke saath khel lo thoda sa. Kyun Aniket? Varun bhaiyya ke saath kheloge naa?"

Varun nodded ever so slightly to let KD know that he had understood everything. Sunaina was the murderer and obviously if Dave had seen the photo he had understood as well and would be on his way. Now they just needed to keep Aniket safe and Sunaina occupied until Dave didn't get here. That wouldn't take too long since the police station was only 15 minutes from here. Priya replied, "Elizabeth Taylor."

"Kafi acha hai. Main soch raha tha ke iss baar Mrs. Billomoria ko unhe ke janam din pe yeh itre doon. Kya sochte ho Varun?"

"Haan sir. Bilkul. Unhe bahut acha lagega."

Varun sat down next to Aniket who was trying to throw some dice around, while keeping a tab on the conversation. He assumed that they had probably found some proof that had led to one of Adit's many so-called enemies and now one of them would be arrested for Adit's murder charge. Well that was good. As long as the suspicion stayed away from him and Priya he was happy. KD then asked, "Sunaina ab Aniket ka kya hoga? Aur iss sab ka?"

"Aniket ko main legally adopt karne ki koshish main hoon. Jab tak woh thik nahi hoga uska aur iss sab ka khayal main rakhongi."

At that moment, there was another ring at the door. Priya went to get the door while KD watched from behind. It was Dave and 3 constables at the door. They came inside and Priya asked in surprise, "Inspector Dave aap yahan?"

"Haan main yahan. Main Supriya Patel ko giraftaar karne aaya hoon Adit Kumar ke khoon ke jurm main," Inspector Dave replied.

"Supriya Patel? Inspector aap ko koi galat femi hogi. Yahan pe mere aur Aniket ke eliva aur koi nahi hai," Priya replied. Small sweat beads were forming on her forehead.

Dave held up a photo. "Yeh tasveer accident file main se mili hai. Yeh Supriya Patel hai. Wohi Supriya Patel jisne Priya ki laash ki shinaqt ki thi."

Priya froze on seeing her photo and then tried to run for it, but banged into KD who had been standing behind her. A constable grabbed her and put her hands behind her back, cuffing them. Priya yelled out, "Main isme akeli nahi hoon!"

Aniket slapped his forehead in his brain. Priya just couldn't keep her mouth shut. And he couldn't escape either because Varun was sitting in his way and the other way led him directly into the police's arms. Priya said, "Aniket bhi isme shamil hai!"

Dave, KD, and Varun looked at Aniket in shock who stood up and said, "Priya tum aapna moun band nahi rakh sakti thi?!!"

Then Dave signalled the other two constables to cuff Aniket who waited there and then when the constables got close, he pushed them away, jumped over the table, and ran out the back door. Varun and Dave reacted fast and ran after him, while KD waited with Priya.

Aniket ran towards the back gate with Varun and Dave hot on his heels. With momentum, he stepped onto the lock and heaved himself over the gate. He wasn't going to waste his time trying to open the lock. Varun followed suit and Dave took to the rear. They ran down the back alley into the front street. Varun was slowly gaining on Aniket. As they came out to the front of the house, Varun made a flying jump and tackled Aniket to the ground. Dave came up behind them and put his gun to Aniket's head saying, "Hands up."

Aniket sighed dramatically and put his hands up. "Fine Inspector. Main bhi pakda gaya. Chaar saal ki mehnat gayi bekar main."

*****

KD's office, Next day, 10AM

Dave was sitting in the office going over the case with KD, Varun, Srman, and Mrs. Billomoria. Once Aniket and Priya had been taken into separate rooms in the police station, both had spilled the beans, which was quite weird given that both were supposedly in love and had been working on this for 4 years. Dave had just finished telling the 4 what the two had said and it had summed up to be that Aniket had planned the whole murder with Priya after Aniket and Adit's father gave everything to Adit. So Aniket killed Priya's friend, Supriya, made it look like an accident, made Supriya into Priya, and became a mad person himself. Then he and Priya counted the days until he turned 25 and a few days before his birthday and to put the blame on Anna, Aniket killed Adit, while Priya acted like Uday's sister.

Varun said, "Sir aapne yeh nahi bataya ab tak ke aapko Srman ki baat sun kar ek dum aisa kya huya ke aapko Aniket se milne jana tha?"

"Varun Srman ne kaha tha ke uske unhe doston ka kehna hai ke yeh kisi kareebi ne kiya tha warna usse kaise pata hota ke light kab jayegi, Adit kahan hoga, aur bandook kahan hogi. Ab yeh baat sirf woh log jaan sakte the jo uss waqt ghar main the. Aur uss waqt ghar main..."

Varun finished the sentence, "...sirf Aniket tha Adit ke saath. Toh matlab Aniket kuch na kuch zaroor janta tha. Yah toh usne khooni ko dekha tha, yah galti se khooni ko sab kuch bata diya tha, yah phir khud khooni tha."

"Aur jaise hume pata laga hai woh khood hi khooni nikla."

"Waise boss ab toh apun ki naukri paki hai? Bole toh apunich ki iss baat ki wajah se aaj woh donoich jail main band hain," Srman asked.

KD shook his head sighing and said, "Teri naukri paki hai lekin pehle tu aapni iss basha ko sudhar. Phir idhar aayio."

"Boss apun ki yeh basha aapne aap sudharich jayegi. Mera matlab hai sudhar jayegi. Apun idhar rahega toh Mrs. Billomoria se akha bhasha seekh hi lega."

Mrs. Billomoria said, wacking Srman over the head, "Arre ghade yahan humko hi thik se Hindi nahi aati hai aur tum hum se seekhne ko mangta hai?"

Srman rubbed his head as KD corrected, "Billi mangta hai' nahi, maang rahe ho' hota hai."

Dave and Varun laughed at this.

Woha its a very lonnggg one😲
kaise likhte ho itna lamba😲

reserved!

Originally posted by: Vampire-queen

Woha its a very lonnggg one😲
kaise likhte ho itna lamba😲

reserved!

res

thnkkqq soo much sreya 😳

Just finished the first post.
And the case is really interesting. See i am inspired by you. Writing crime fictions.
I just love reading those crime fictions. Really😃

coming to this one, what a cas. It began with a challenge, and then KDs next procedure to solve it, was nicely portrayed.

Starting from Aniket, so KD was so sure that Aniket was not the culprit. And his mental condition proved that.
I had a doubt on sunaina but you cleared it in the end.

And srman was really funny, when varun asked him stay with him in the house, he stayed with him.😆 and then in KDs cabin..lol. Poor varun he have to now make him his chota bhai and to kd his chota assistant.
I think sramn really have any important role to play here.

And then daya, so someone hired him and asked to lie in court so that aniket would be the suspect. But KD very intelligently proved him wrong and he also accepted his crime.

So now who is the lady who, stalked there. And also the lady who ascted as daya's sister for the fake accident. I am very curious about that.

So anna's case is cleared.

Now i wll read the 2nd post and then will comment.

Thanks for the PM.

Res!