Both the phones rang at the same time. The one on the table, an old fashioned, vintage dial up Graham Bell. The other a sleek touchscreen HTC in my pocket. Which one should I attend first. The boss or the wife.
It was the Commissioner at the other end.
Yes Sir....
Attempted break in.....ok Sir
Leaving right away, Sir
Yes Sir
I will update you from there, Sir.
Well understood, Sir.
Yes Sir....
Attempted break in.....ok Sir
Leaving right away, Sir
Yes Sir
I will update you from there, Sir.
Well understood, Sir.
It wasn't a big city. Crime rate was low. Petty crimes mostly. An attempted break in at the house of the local Industrialist was a serious issue. Especially because he was a friend of the Commissioner.
I called the constable to bring the jeep out front and wait. I grabbed my walkie Talkie, holstered my .32 and rushed out.
Where to, Sir? The constable asked. He doubled as my driver. A young chap, always on lookout for an adventure.
There has been an attempted break in at the house of Mr. Taneja. That's where we are headed.
Should I switch on the siren ?? He smiled as he asked the question. I just smiled back, which he took for a No. Too many movies, these guys watch. They romanticize the idea of a Cop's job, make it appear larger than life. In reality its plain dirty and ugly, dealing with the lowest scums of the society, day after day. Who would want to marry a Cop.
Oh, that reminded me. The missed call from Prerna, my other boss.
Hello, dear.
My wife answered. Hi, if you are not too busy, can you take a look at something.
I got a call from my Aunt, Dr Sanyukta. She needs some help from you.
I got a call from my Aunt, Dr Sanyukta. She needs some help from you.
Sure dear, is she coming over ??
No, no. She is at the Old Age home. If you can visit her there.
Old age home?? You abandoned your own aunt. That's so not done. I remarked in jest.
Don't be silly. She does courtesy calls at the Old Age home twice a week. You husbands are incorrigible.
Yes Ma'am, and I disconnected. Now lets see whats up at Mr. Tanejas.
We pulled up outside, what was the biggest house in Town. The Government Primary School building was smaller than this. Neatly manicured lawn, flower pots lining the road, which extended all the way from the gate to the Porch. A BMW 7 series parked outside the garage, probably because there was no space inside. The steps leading up from the porch were carpeted too. And the main door, a massive Oak with a lots of brass decoration attached to it. Wow, its good to be rich.
As I stepped into the massive hall, I saw an agitated Mr. Taneja pacing about. I had seen him a couple of time in the party at the Commissioner's residence. Where he was a guest and I was.....well..... looking after the arrangements.
I was going to introduce myself, but as of now, knowing my name wasn't on his list of priorities. So Inspector, there you are. A voice, clear and resounding, comfortable giving orders, used to having minnows at beck and call.
We had an attempted break-in. What is going on. What's happening to the law and order in this city.
Sir, can I have some details.
Details....The alarm went off at around 04.00am.
What Alarm,Sir.
The intruder alarm, for God's sake. You do know what's an intruder alarm. Its a state of art alarm from a Norwegian Firm. What else do you expect. I can't leave the security of my loved ones at the mercy of local police. Do you ever step out of your police station.
I just kept nodding.......wow, Its good to be rich.
So, like I was saying, I had this intruder alarm installed just yesterday. And the alarm went off at 04.00am. I thought its a false alarm and after a casual look around, I reset it and went back to sleep.
But in the morning, the gardener reported footprints outside the window, the window of the room where my son sleeps.
But in the morning, the gardener reported footprints outside the window, the window of the room where my son sleeps.
Somebody tried to break in and Gods be thanked, the intruder alarm saved us.
So, nothing was taken. I remarked.
Nothing was taken!!! He bellowed. Nothing was taken .....I am amazed at your audacity and utter lack of concern.
Are you waiting for something to be taken, before you treat this as a crime. Do you even comprehend the seriousness of what I told you just now.
I run an industry, Inspector. An industry that provides livelihood to hundreds of people. I manufacture and export products. I contribute to the economy by bringing in foreign exchange. That's how the country progresses. And its from my money and my taxes, that the Government pays your salary. If I can't sleep peacefully, and I have to stay up all night fearing for the safety of my children.....How the hell do you expect me to go to work.
Are you waiting for something to be taken, before you treat this as a crime. Do you even comprehend the seriousness of what I told you just now.
I run an industry, Inspector. An industry that provides livelihood to hundreds of people. I manufacture and export products. I contribute to the economy by bringing in foreign exchange. That's how the country progresses. And its from my money and my taxes, that the Government pays your salary. If I can't sleep peacefully, and I have to stay up all night fearing for the safety of my children.....How the hell do you expect me to go to work.
Wow.......free lessons in Economics, I thought with a straight face.
I will take a quick look around and get back to you.
I will take a quick look around and get back to you.
The Gardener will show you around. He said dismissing me with a wave of hand,
Yes Sir. And off I went.
The foot prints under the window were fresh. Sports shoes. The soil was wet, from previous evenings watering of plants around. The window was slightly open. I could have it dusted for finger prints. I clicked some photographs and headed back to the jeep.
If my constable had seen the reception I got, he would have been shattered. He still thought, Law was supreme and everyone was in awe of the police uniform.
The law just does not apply to the rich.
The law just does not apply to the rich.
Where to Sir ?? Back to the station ??
No, lets go to the old age home. We have seen the Rich, now lets see the Abandoned.
The old age home was a few kilometers away. An old British era dilapidated building that an NGO had taken over and were running as the last refuge of poor abandoned souls. As soon as we arrived, I saw Dr Sanyukta sitting in the lawn examining her patients.
she stood up to greet me as I walked up. So glad, you could come. Please have a seat. I am just about finishing with the last patient. Then I will be free to talk to you.
Dr.Sanyukta, the Doctor, had a persona that had Mother written all over. The smile on her face and her soothing voice were enough to rest at ease any ills you might be suffering. She ran a clinic in the town and did house visits. I wonder if the NGO paid her anything. Knowing her nature, they might have narrated the plight of the elderly inmates and she would have readily agreed to work for free.
There, I am free now. She said putting away her stethoscope into her bag.
Prerna talks about you all the time. I always wondered how you go about solving the crimes. It must be so interesting. And that uniform of yours exuding power, it must feel good to be a Cop.
Prerna talks about you all the time. I always wondered how you go about solving the crimes. It must be so interesting. And that uniform of yours exuding power, it must feel good to be a Cop.
Like I said, her voice, the soothing voice, healed my wounded pride, the wounds from the Hostile reception at Mr. Taneja's house.
Well, its a job like any other. I tried to downplay my importance against my own free will.
No, I find it very interesting, she carried on. How do you go about collecting and analysing evidence and finally catch the criminals.
Well its just that we are trained. Trained to ignore the obvious, look for the the unseen, we connect the dots and sometimes we get lucky. I tried to put it in simple terms.
Oh that's so well put. Well the reason I asked for your help is, regarding my patient here, an elderly Gentleman, everyone calls Bapuji. He was the fittest of the lot. While rest of the people here do some mild form of exercise, he was a regular. He cycled everyday. Today I found he had low BP and running high fever.
How can I help you with that. I asked.
Thats what I am coming to. She continued. His illness is more psychological than physical. You see, he is in depression because his cycle has been stolen.
Oh ! Thats all. This was a non issue. My mind already back to Taneja Case.
She probably read my mind. You see, its a small matter, if I file a complaint, it wont be taken very seriously. Its just a cycle and he is a nobody. But it was his most prized possession here. He used to cycle everyday early in the morning. If you could help me out with this one, I will be ever so grateful. I wish we had a watchman here, to look after these things and help around with small errands.
Don't you worry. I will see what I can do. I took the description of the cycle and walked towards my jeep.
As soon as we drove out of the Old Age home, I dialled my Police Station.
Tell all the beat constables to report to me if they come across any street urchin or smack addicts riding around on a red hercules bicycle.
Tell all the beat constables to report to me if they come across any street urchin or smack addicts riding around on a red hercules bicycle.
We had driven for 5 minutes only when my walkie talkie buzzed.
Sir, Beat Constable Ram Yadav reporting. Over.
Yes Ram Yadav, go ahead, over.
Sir, today early morning during patrolling on temple road, I saw Raju the local history sheeter with a red cycle. Over.
Ok Noted. Ram Yadav. That will be all. Over and out.
How many cycles are there in the city? I asked my driver.
May be in Lakhs, Sir.
How many Red in colour?
Maybe in thousands, Sir?
How many out early in the morning ?
Very few Sir.
And how many out in the morning with a history sheeter on top??
May be the one, we are looking for, Sir.
And So you see Doctor Sanyukta, we sometimes just get lucky.
"Driver, temple road, lane no 3". At least one thing taken care of.
The lanes were narrow. I had to leave the jeep on the road and walk the rest of the way. People I crossed on the way, would avoid looking at me, stop and stutter, or just change directions. Its amusing at times.
As I stepped into the doorway of Raju's house, he got up with a start.
I was going to call you Sir. I didn't do it. I swear on my mother, Sir. I promised, Sir I will change for the better. I am trying, Sir. Believe me, Sir.
I was going to call you Sir. I didn't do it. I swear on my mother, Sir. I promised, Sir I will change for the better. I am trying, Sir. Believe me, Sir.
When a guy is giving up information at that rate. You just don't interrupt him. I let him continue.
I went looking for a job to the other town. But nobody hired me. I got tired and arrived back today in the morning. Here is my bus ticket. You can check with the Conductor also.
So, Raju, the Bus Conductor gave you the cycle to ride home. Ahaan
No Sir. I was walking back from the bus stand. I was passing by the big house and suddenly loud alarms went off. I got scared. You know, I have a past record. I thought I would get blamed for whatever happened. Then I saw a man running towards me. I panicked, Sir. I saw the cycle standing near the entrance, so I picked it up and ran.
This was interesting. Like I said, never interrupt.
So you picked up the cycle from outside the big house. And who was coming to catch you.
I dont know Sir, it was dark, I couldnt see clearly.
And so you see Doctor Sanyukta, sometimes we see the unseen and just connect the dots. I was smiling as I turned to leave.
Raju followed me out. Am I in trouble Sir.
No Raju, not right now. Return the cycle to the Old Age home and report for work there everyday. If I get any complaints about you, then, and only then, you will be in big trouble.
He stood there unable to understand how the clock had turned a full circle in a few moments.
I wasn't interested in his expression. I had a bigger fish to fry.
I got into the jeep, told my driver constable. To the House of Mr. Taneja as fast as you can. And yes, you can switch on the siren.
As we neared the house, I asked him to switch off the siren. He had had his thrill. Now it was time to get mine. I walked up the same carpeted steps and entered the hall. The society's Rich and Famous ladies had descended on Mr. Taneja's house. The creme de la creme.
This is going to be fun. I will just stand and watch.
The red one is almost having a heart attack, Oh Mrs. Taneja, I was so shocked. I cancelled my beautician's appointment and rushed over.
The green one went, Can't imagine what would have happened, if the intruder had got in.
The Pink one, I will tell my husband to install the same alarm system. You just text me the name.
The blue one, I can imagine how scared you must be. I know what a caring mother you are. Right outside your son's window........ Oh thank God, you all are safe
"You are back early, Inspector. Something you forgot" said the spoil sport Mr. Taneja
My turn....
Well Mr. Taneja, I am pleased to inform you that we have identified the intruder and will arrest him shortly.
We will be charging him under Indian Penal Code sections
441 for Criminal trespass
442 for House trespass
444 for Lurking house, trespass by night
446 for House-breaking by night
The old man will argue in his defence that he cycles everyday from the old age home to your house to catch a glimpse of his grandson, and he didn't know about the new alarm system. But the law is the law. He must be made to understand, if you cannot sleep, the Country cannot PROGRESSSSS.
We will be charging him under Indian Penal Code sections
441 for Criminal trespass
442 for House trespass
444 for Lurking house, trespass by night
446 for House-breaking by night
The old man will argue in his defence that he cycles everyday from the old age home to your house to catch a glimpse of his grandson, and he didn't know about the new alarm system. But the law is the law. He must be made to understand, if you cannot sleep, the Country cannot PROGRESSSSS.
Have you seen six butterflies with painted mouths stop fluttering all at once.
Or, have you seen a Man's face turn a shade more red than his wife's lipstick.
I just did.
And I did absolutely nothing to wipe the smirk off my face. Hope now you will sleep well. Mr.Taneja, I said as I walked out.
As I got into my jeep, I called my boss, ....the other one.
Hi Prerna. Justice is served. I am on my way home.
