The Deliverance

‘Ganesh, you are under arrest ‘inspector Godbole told him without batting an eye as he looked at him coldly! He trembled as his feet seemed to become leaden.

‘Sahab it was an accident’ he pleaded almost begging. His world had fallen apart as the New Year ushered in.

Merry making was in the air and crackers burst as the band struck! The New Year Party had reached the crescendo as the couples waltzed on the dance floor. Ravi was holding ravishing Priya close, as he whispered ‘Happy New Year’ in her ear.

An hour later, Ravi bid Priya good bye and walked up to the foyer of the hotel and called for his driver Ganesh. The red ’Swift’ screeched to a halt, as Ganesh opened the door.

‘You sit behind’ Ravi told Ganesh as he got into the drivers seat!

‘Sir, but Sahab will be angry, so please let me drive, he pleaded.

‘Do as you are told’, Ravi said in an inebriated state and pushed Ganesh in as he took the drivers seat and switched on the loud music.

Ganesh kept protesting but the car roared and took to the street. He was very afraid, as the car hit the Western Express highway and headed in the direction of Andheri. Tearing through the night the car speeded till it reached the flyover and turned. There was a loud crash and wail of humans! The car had just struck a group of beggars who were resting on the pavement under the flyover.

Ravi was too scared and continued to press the accelerator as Ganesh looked back in horror at the trail of destruction and writhing human bodies. The car continued for two more kilometers before coming to halt at the apartment parking as the guard opened the door. It was around 2 AM in the early morning!

Ravi rushed in home and broke the news to his father who opened the door! He was taken a back and looked at Ganesh who stood with folded hands and looked meekly at Mr Tandon, the wealthy industrialist. ‘Now listen, if police come, here and ask, it is you who was driving, he told Ganesh.

‘We will take care of you and your family, don’t worry! He said. After some protest Ganesh agreed as he had left his family behind in Gomoh in Bihar who needed money as he was the lone bread winner. The car was washed clean and except some dents and scrap of paint, it suffered after the crash!

Through the night, a lot happened, as Inspector Godbole was assigned the case. He took pictures of the spot and met a few wailing beggars. Two men had died on the spot and three were injured. One of them remembered that the car was red colored and bore a number 0333 as last digits. After, running through the records next morning the only car that he could home on belonged to Mr Tandon residing in Saki Naka, Andheri. By afternoon the car was taken in custody and Inspector Godbole interviewed the family and collected information. After sustained interrogation, Ganesh, accepted to the crime and was taken in custody! His world fell apart at the thought of spending long years in prison!

Godbole was a perfectionist and his reputation had remained untarnished as an upright investigating officer after eight years long service in the crime department. He thoroughly inspected the car and looked for tell tale evidences and clues.

Two months had passed and Ganesh was still in lock up!

It was a Saturday, when the doorbell rang outside Mr Tandon’s home. The servant opened the door as Inspector Godbole and two policeman walked in!

‘What can I do for you, inspector?’ asked Mr Tandon casually

‘We have an arrest warrant for your son charged with double murder and for destruction of evidence’ Godbole said, waving the warrant before him.

After two months of intense investigation he had collected evidences which had finally sealed the case almost watertight. He had the statement of hotel concierge staff who saw Ravi taking the seat on steering, a lighter belonging to Ravi which had fallen under the driver’s seat while occupying it and traces of human flesh under the bonnet of the car although it had been washed clean. The finger prints of Ravi matched with those lifted from the lighter and from the CD player installed in the car which was not wiped clean!

Ganesh was set free for a crime which he had not done after court proceedings. He looked up towards the sky and thanked god for the justice finally done!

PS- Image  Kind Courtesy Google
       Thank You Radhika  Gupta for being kind to pass me an award on 05 July 12