The new dawn broke, and the first rays of the morning sun seeped into his room, touching his face gently, as if caressing him. The melodic bird’s song drifted in like some soft music to the ears.  Sanjay quickly opened his eyes and sat on his bed with his hands folded, thanking the almighty for fulfilling his dream and blessing him always. This was his daily practice, and he never failed to count his blessings. It was Sanjay’s dream to start a business in computer parts, and that dream was going to turn into reality in the next few hours.    Sanjay and Rajan were childhood friends, and when they grew up, they parted ways to pursue their careers but were in regular touch. Sanjay was a computer hardware engineer while Rajan pursued his MBA in finance. Sanjay lived in Hyderabad with his wife Antara. Rajan’s hometown was also Hyderabad, but he resided in Mumbai due to work. One day, when Sanjay approached Rajan with a business plan, he loved it and saw great scope.  He immediately agreed to join hands with Sanjay. He resigned from the organisation where he worked and came down to Hyderabad. They together invested in this business and decided to name their firm SR Tech where Sanjay’s wife Antara was a dormant partner who did not participate in day to day activities but shared profits and losses of the firm.  Soon after registration, they informed their close family and friends and invited them for the inaugural function to grace the event. They also arranged dinner for all the guests. Their business picked up slowly and steadily, and within a short span of time, they became the top and most reliable dealer in Hyderabad. Sanjay and Rajan decided to take their business to the next level, by opening branches in other states in India and also the international market. Now at this stage, they needed more employees to look into other areas of work.  They appointed staff for daily accounting, admin, and human resources departments.  But, had to still finalise candidates for marketing and sales out of the shortlisted ones. After a couple of rounds of interviews, they finally appointed Ravi Jha, as marketing and sales head. He was immensely talented and captured markets. He not only got new clients on board, but also knew how to retain the old customers. He was very prompt in giving after-sales service. His unique ideas helped them to grow their business to the pan-India level and international markets quite earlier than expected.  They did well and, within a couple of years, they invested in a large warehouse. Both Sanjay and Rajan not only loved Ravi’s work and ideas but would always consult him before finalizing any new deal. They also included a profit linked incentive into his pay package.  

*****

Antara’s parents were living in Dehradun.  Her younger sister was getting married on the 20th of August and, they were to leave on the 16th.  On the day of their journey, Sanjay received a call from his associate Rajan requesting him to come down for an emergency meeting.  A foreign investor was coming to visit them to finalize a deal.  It was 9 in the morning and, Sanjay’s flight was at 6 p.m. Due to the weekend and heavy traffic, they had planned to leave at 2 p.m. He quickly changed and rushed to the office.  The meeting got over by 10.30 a.m. Sanjay’s phone rang. He immediately thrust his hand into his pocket to fish out the phone and went out to speak. Antara was waiting for Sanjay at their residence. As soon as he arrived, they left for the airport. Sanjay looked stressed. On inquiring, he said, “Ravi is demanding 50% of shares and is threatening to wipe out our business”. “Oh, is it? What is Rajan saying?” asked Antara. “He is also disturbed.” Answered Sanjay. “Ok. Just stay calm. We will find some solution. By the way, what’s wrong with your voice?” inquired Antara. “I don’t know. Guess some throat infection,” replied Sanjay.   The flight departed and landed on time. Antara’s brother Mohit had come to receive them at the airport.  Though the marriage was on the 20th of August, there were other pre-wedding ceremonies lined up. That night all the men sat down to drink. Sanjay also joined.  After a few pegs, his head started rotating and, he fell on the floor. The next day at the breakfast table, Antara muttered. Why do you drink so much when you cannot handle it? His voice came out muffled because his mouth was full. So whatever he said was not clear to her.  But she decided not to take the conversation ahead as all relatives were around. All the functions went well. After the wedding, they planned their return to Hyderabad via Delhi due to the business commitment of Sanjay.  On landing in Delhi, Antara left to visit her friend and, Sanjay headed for a client meeting.  As planned, they met at the airport late afternoon to board their flight back home. A few minutes later, Sanjay went to use the washroom.  As soon as the airline staff made the boarding announcement, people proceeded towards the gate. Antara was waiting for Sanjay.  But, when he did not turn up even after 15 minutes, her heart started racing.  She tried calling his number several times, but in vain.  She informed the staff and headed towards the washroom area. She waited out for a couple of minutes, but he did not come out. Seeing this, she immediately approached the CISF officer, who found that no such person was inside. The flight was ready to depart. Antara cancelled her flight ticket and arranged to get her luggage back. She, along with airport officials, started searching for him, but he was nowhere. They checked CCTV recordings but could not find him. She then tried calling Sanjay’s partner Rajan to inform him about this incident.  But his cell was not reachable. “Officer, we were together all this while, and suddenly he disappeared. How is it even possible?” Antara spoke in a choked voice. The police and CISF officers suggested she go back to Hyderabad and, they would update her.  But she refused to and went back to her friend’s place in Delhi. She visited the police station every day, but there was no trace of Sanjay.  Finally, after spending a month in Delhi, she left for Hyderabad.  On reaching, she immediately went to meet Rajan, distraught. Rajan managed to comfort her. “Was Sanjay stressed about any issue? Did he share anything with you?” Antara inquired. “No. He did not share anything with me.  Yes, Sanjay used to abuse our clients for delaying the payments. There is a possibility that out of rage, one of them must have harmed him.” Rajan answered with concern.   “But I have never seen Sanjay abusing anyone. On the day of our travel, I found him tense. On asking him repeatedly, he said that Ravi is demanding 50% shares in the company. Hence, he has decided to kick him out. Other than that, he did not mention anything,” retorted Antara. “Oh yes. I am aware of that.  We can handle that later,” said Rajan. Antara was following up with the Delhi police every day. But, there was no positive feedback. She suddenly remembered Sanjay’s words about Ravi and informed the police.   Delhi police requested her to send pictures of both, Rajan and Ravi. In the meantime, they involved Hyderabad police and asked them to interrogate Ravi. The following day, inspector Khanna, Hyderabad police arrived at the office to question Ravi. “Mr Ravi, we need to talk to you about Sanjay,” said inspector Khanna.  “Yes, inspector.  How can I help you?” replied Ravi. “How was your relationship with Sanjay?” questioned inspector Khanna. “It was good.  I have been working with Rajan and Sanjay for the last ten years,” responded Ravi. “So why did you threaten Sanjay and tell him that you would wipe out the business?” Quizzed inspector Khanna. “Yes. I threatened him because I was angry at that moment. I have put in a lot of effort to take this company to the next level.  He was very short-tempered and used to yell at me for trivial issues in front of other staff.” Ravi exclaimed. “So you had a motive to harm him.  Right?” Questioned inspector Khanna.   “No, sir. Not at all. In fact, I did not go ahead with the conversation.  I thought I would discuss this with him once he is back from Delhi.  I had made up my mind to resign if he refused to consider it,” answered Ravi. “Mrs Antara, I questioned Ravi but did not find anything suspicious.  But yes, according to him, Sanjay was short-tempered and fought and abused everyone.” Informed inspector Khanna. “Agree. Sanjay was short-tempered but not the way Ravi has portrayed him in front of you,” replied Antara.  “Ok, mam. We are working with the Delhi police and will soon find out the truth,” said inspector Khanna.

*****

Inspector Ratan (Delhi police), with the help of CISF officers, re-checked the CCTV footage and this time, they spotted a known face and immediately called Antara. “Yes, inspector Ratan. Any development? Did you find my husband’s whereabouts?” asked Antara.  “No mam. Not yet. But when we re-checked the CCTV footage, we found something strange.  Within a couple of minutes, inspector Khanna will visit you.” Responded Mr Ratan. “Ok, but at least tell me, what you found so strange in the CCTV footage,” asked Antara. “Mam, we are not sure. Please wait for a few minutes. Inspector Khanna is arriving with a search warrant.” confirmed Mr Ratan. “Mrs Antara, can you take us to Mr Ravi and Rajan’s residence?” requested inspector Khanna. “Sure, inspector, but what happened? Did you find my husband?” asked Antara. “You will come to know soon.” Saying this, inspector Khanna along with Antara, reached Ravi’s residence. “Mr Ravi, we have a search warrant and need to search your house.” Handing over the warrant papers, inspector Khanna instructed his team to search every corner of the house.   “But why?  What have I done?” retorted Ravi.   “Look, Mr Ravi, allow us to do our work.” Inspector Khanna said in a sharp tone.  They searched the house thoroughly but did not find anything. They moved out of there and went to Rajan’s house. “Inspector, what are you searching for?” Inquired Rajan. “Bhabhi Ji, you know me for decades. How did you agree to get my house searched?” Rajan said as he looked upset. “Rajan Bhai, the inspector, has got some evidence and, hence we are here,” said Antara. The team rummaged through drawers and closets but could not find anything.  They were at a dead end.   Rajan’s maid was around.  She saw something strange and whispered in Antara’s ears.  Antara’s eyes popped out. She rushed, to the backyard of the house where she found a silicone mask that resembled Sanjay’s face, dumped there. Rajan and the police officials followed her.  “What is this? Why would Sanjay use such a mask? Where is he, and why is this mask lying here?  What have you done?” Antara raised questions in a strained and worried voice. Rajan stood mum and silent.   “Why don’t you tell us the truth” Antara blared. “Rajan, do you have anything to say on this?” Blasted inspector Khanna. “Sir, sir, I have not done anything,” said Rajan as he shivered. “What were you doing at Delhi airport on the 21st of August?  The Delhi police spotted you on CCTV cameras at the airport.” cross-examined inspector Khanna.  Fear gripped Rajan, and his hands started trembling. His face turned pale. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He quickly mopped it away with his forearm. “Will you open your mouth, or should we use the third degree?” warned inspector Khanna. “I am sorry, bhabhi Ji. I didn’t intend to, but it was an accidental death.” Cried, Rajan. Antara broke down and could not control her emotions. "He was with me in Delhi. How and when did you do all this?” questioned Antara.   “It was not Sanjay who travelled with you to Delhi.  He died on the day of travel, and I buried him in the backyard of my house,” informed Rajan. “How could you do this?  You were friends and did so well in business too.  What was the need?” questioned Antara, loaded with emotions and eyes welled up in tears. Rajan hung his head down out of shame and guilt and narrated the incident. “On the day of his travel, we had a meeting.  The meeting got over by 10.30 a.m., and we dispersed. Sanjay realized that he had left his spectacle on the desk and came back to collect it. Unfortunately, my bank statement that was also lying on the table fell on Sanjay’s hand. While flipping through the pages, he noticed that I had made many fraudulent transactions and transferred copious amounts from the business account to my personal account. He immediately confronted me and threatened to hand me over to the police. At around quarter to eleven, Antara called Sanjay, and after their conversation, he came back again to grill me. The fight reached its crescendo, and in a fit of rage, I pushed him hard.  His head hit the wall, and he bled profusely and died on the spot. I panicked. A little later, during lunchtime, when all the other staff went to the canteen, I got an opportunity to drag him out of the office and get him home. Luckily the maid was not around, and I decided to bury him in the backyard of my house. But before doing that, I fished out Sanjay’s mobile from his pocket, and carried it with me.” Rajan narrated. He further added. “This incident took place at 11 a.m. One of my friends dealt with silicone masks.  I forwarded Sanjay’s picture and asked him to make a mask of his face within 3 hours. Before switching off my mobile, I informed my staff about proceeding on leave for a week. I then left my cell phone at home so that in case it gets traced, the location would show as Hyderabad. Quickly wearing my silicon mask, I concealed my identity and looked like Sanjay and travelled to Delhi with Antara. While returning from Delhi airport, I got a chance to peel off my mask. I turned off Sanjay’s mobile and left the washroom, re-booked my ticket, took the next flight, and reached Hyderabad.”  “But, how did you manage to wear this mask for four days.” asked inspector Khanna. “We reached on the 16th. On the 17th evening, I gave an excuse for having a sore throat/fever and isolated myself for three days. During my isolation, I did not use the mask and wore it again, on the wedding day,” replied Rajan. Inspector Khanna took the handcuffs, snapped around his wrist for murder, and put him behind bars. The Delhi and Hyderabad police both closed the case.  Antara apologized to Ravi and offered him to continue the business on a 50:50 partnership basis.

****

Authors Note :  CISF – Central Industrial Security Force  Penmancy gets a small share of every purchase you make through these links, and every little helps us continue bringing you the reads you love!