September 5, 2002, Ravi Phule’s Bungalow, Sankarwadi, Pune

9 p.m.

The trees bowed low, aghast at the blood-spattered pathway of Ravi Phule’s house. The screams from the household woke the street dogs, who, along with the owls, struck up an ear-piercing cacophony.

Nirmala’s eyeballs were ready to jump out from their protective sockets as she watched her husband Raghu’s bloody, trembling hands rise and point towards heaven. His bloody fingers spread out to symbolize ‘FIVE’.

She quickly put her head on his chest, struggling to hold on to the fast disappearing strings of breath.

After what seemed like eons, she heard him whisper, “Ganesh,…… Ganesh….cha.”

His speech then succumbed to his waning consciousness.

“BABAAA,” Nirmala screamed.

Before her screams could reach their ears, her in-laws were beside her.

Shaking her father-in-law, Ravi Phule’s, collar vigorously her words stumbled forth in sorrow and despair, “Baba, call…..call the hospital immediately. And call…… Ganesh Dada. Raghu….. Raghune vicharle saanga! GO, PLEASE!!!”

Ravi Phule shook his head like a zombie and rushed back into the house.

Meanwhile, Nirmala took her mother-in-law, Savithri’s help and pulled Raghu’s slumped self, tethering to the last rope of life, inside the house.

She gazed beyond her blurry eyes. At the stretch of blood covering the pathway and the hall.

Was this really happening in her house? To Raghu? She knew it wouldn’t be much longer before…..

“Nirmala, Ganesh is on the way with Shalu and Ameya. The ambulance will be here soon.” Ravi enclosed his daughter-in-law within his sobbing self.

“Okay, Baba.” She regained her composure a bit, adjusted her sari and spoke on her way out, “I will meet you in the hospital very soon.”

“Arre! Where…..?”

 His questions were buried in the dark abyss that surrounded their house at the moment as Nirmala sped off in her pink scooty. The night consumed her quickly. Her hands were hardly in control, but she drove with an undeniable purpose.  

September 6, 2002, RMCH Hospital, Chandan Nagar, Pune

6 a.m.

“He had a severe head injury. We performed a surgery to stem the loss of blood, putting him on maximum oxygen support all the while, but……. I am sorry.”

“RAGHUUUU……,” Savithri’s wail tore through the mono-toned corridors of Raoji Medical College and Hospital (RMCH).

Shalu, Ganesh’s wife sobbed as she gripped Nirmala tightly. Ganesh fell at his slumped father’s feet in shock.

Nirmala’s mind nodded, asserting its premonition at this predicament but her heart denied acceptance.

Leaving them alone in their tussle, Nirmala walked up to the doctor, “Can I see him?”

He shook his head in denial.

Little droplets of salty water lingered on her eyelashes disconcertingly. But her vacant eyes triggered her to make a bold statement.

“Will the police come in, Dr Prashanth?”, she whispered, after she had managed to drag the busy doctor out of the crowded, suffocating waiting area. Her brother-in-law Ganesh was with her.

“Yes, Mrs. Raghu. This is a clear-cut murder case. He has been hit on the head with force and he also suffered multiple fractures. It is remarkable how he remained conscious to ride his scooter all the way back home. I have called the Sub-Inspector of Tilakwadi Police Station, near his office, as Ganesh told me when Raghu was brought here. The crime was probably effected in that vicinity.”

“Hello doctor… Dr.Prashanth, I guess.” A lanky, middle-aged man in uniform fell into their midst from God knows where. “I am Chandrakant, SI, Tilakwadi station.”

“I’ve a report of a murder from this hospital.”

Oddly, he sounded to Nirmala as if he had been called to give away some award.

 “We will talk in my cabin, Inspector,” Dr.Prashanth led him away quickly as a crowd of relatives and curious onlookers started buzzing around them.

Nirmala went back to the waiting room. She sat in a far corner, away from understandable cacophony and let her mind and heart resume their tussle.

She freed her tears from painful bondage and they flowed haltingly as she stared at the blue. It held no promises for her.

***

She was hesitantly sipping coffee that Ameya had bought, with her mother-in-law by her side, when Chandrakant and Dr. Prashanth approached her.

“Madam,” the doctor tried sounding empathetic and dutiful at the same time, “the hospital will hold Raghu’s body till post-mortem, which will be done tomorrow morning. After which, an attested copy of the report will be sent to the police. You may take him home tomorrow evening.”

Mixed murmurs of dissent and assent rose from the small gathering of family members on this proclamation like the obnoxious gust of strong wind that disturbs pre-planned activities.

Savithri’s ebbed wails gathered force, Ravi Phule beat his chest and turned to his elder son Ganesh, his eyes twitching desperately in worry and grief, but Ganesh couldn’t make a prognosis or diagnosis of the soup they were in.

They went back home and waited in painful silence for the forensic team to conduct an inspection.  

The blood-spattered hallway brought back images of Raghu fighting for life while the heavens earnestly called out to him.

Nirmala shut herself in the washroom and tried scrubbing her pain away with tears. Then, she sat on her bed, defeated, her eyes closed, refusing to see a future that would never be hers.

***

September 7, 2002, Ravi Phule’s Bungalow, Sankarwadi, Pune

9 a.m

A lady inspector, Paridhi Lalwani, waited in the backyard for Nirmala.

The forensic team was doing its duty like a silent eagle.

She turned when felt Nirmala’s disturbed breath over her shoulder.

“I am sorry, Mrs.Raghu. I know this is going to be tough for you.”

Nirmala didn’t respond allowing Paridhi to do what she liked best- coming straight to the point in her mind.

“Your father-in-law told me that you had gone somewhere that night, leaving your dying husband. Can you please explain the urgency of that act?”

Nirmala winced at the caustic remark yet she faced Paridhi with all the confidence she could muster.

“Bag…,”

“What! Come again!” Paridhi’s voice rose, marking an end to a social, gentle conversation.

Nirmala looked around hurriedly, then continued, “I had gone the way he came home that day in search of his office bag.”

“You left your dying husband and went after his bag. Gosh! How ridiculous! Is the bag more important than your husband, ma’am? Can you please enlighten me?”

Nirmala had now learnt a little about police interrogation. She had to bundle her grief and face ruthless waves that might break their walls built with dignity and love.

“Inspector, Raghu had a small financing company. He dealt with a fair amount of cash on daily basis. He deposited a part of the cash he brought home in his current account the next day itself. He kept only the money needed for immediate expenses and what had to be repaid that day with him.”

“So….”

“So, that money is important.” Nirmala chipped in without allowing Paridhi to continue, “ It is of the people who have reposed their trust in us. Raghu was always careful about it. The moment I saw it was missing, I went in search of it. And all along, I thought… even now.. that Raghu will live.” She choked.

“Where’s the bag and cash?”

Nirmala looked in the direction of the house. “The forensic team will check it, I suppose.”

She went close to her and hissed as she saw the forensics coming out of the house, “Madam, you shouldn’t have meddled with the bag. Hope you understand the enormity of this murder case. Come to the station soon after the religious rites are done.”

Thirty-five-year-old Raghu was bid a tearful goodbye that evening by a large gathering of friends, well-wishers. He was a very sincere and loving son, husband, relative and friend. A post-graduate in finance, he loved his independence and built his small business on a rented premise at Gandhi Chowk from scratch.

Unlike Ganesh, his elder brother, he was financially stable and did not squander his money on drinks or friends. Nirmala was a sensible and loving companion to Raghu. She respected her in-laws, so they stayed with the duo in their twilight years.

Phule Bungalow on Sankarwadi belonged to Ravi Phule, Raghu’s father, but he had planned to hand over the property to Raghu soon.

Now, trembling from head to toe, physically supported by a tearful Ganesh, he threw his simple dreams into the vociferous funeral pyre.

Too exhausted and defeated, he sat downcast on the riverbank with the family still holding him. The heavens shed copious tears at his plight that drenched them and mingled with the crimson-tainted waters as the sun stealthily shrank into the horizon.

September 10, 2002, Tilalkwadi Police Station, near Gandhi Chowk

3 p.m

Ganesh and Nirmala, waited in the inspector’s cabin. Heavy silence rested between them, their minds preoccupied with the impending torturous days written in their fate.

“Hello, I am Atul Ranade, CBI.”

The introduction startled them. Their anxious eyes darted to two sleuths, a male and a female, who stood in attention behind their middle-aged, smart superior (that’s what Nirmala guessed).

“ Inspector Chandrakant has been assigned to some other case.” He was trying to put them at ease and answer the questions simmering in their heart.

“He has briefed me about Raghu’s murder, and Paridhi told me, today morning, about your search for the bag etc. Madam. Do you know madam, that it is a crime to tamper with any evidence, inside or outside the house? You should have waited for us to take charge.”

“Sir,” Nirmala’s voice rose to match his. “ I have explained this to Paridhi ma’am……”

“ Sorry about this, ma’am, I need all the information from you, EVERYTHING. You are under our scrutiny.” He gestured to his lady subordinate to take over.

Ganesh watched helplessly as Nirmala was led to an adjacent soundproof cabin.

He turned when Atul’s business-like voice addressed him.

“I know it is a great loss, Ganesh.” His eyes took in Ganesh’s appearance.

“You don’t live with your parents. You chose to live with your family in a rented coop instead of a spacious bungalow. Why? I am a patient listener……but only want the truth.”

 Atul had heard that Ganesh was no good, without a stable job and earned hardly enough to care for his family.

He rubbed the growing stubble on his jawline by swift hand movements, a sign of irritation and impatience.

Ganesh knew that he had to spill every bean or the noose was ready to fall on his neck.

***

“Sir, I don’t get along well with my parents and brother. I have always felt that they are partial to Raghu. He is…was… showered with love because he was obedient and did well for himself in life. Myself and Shalu, stayed with them till Raghu got married. Then Shalu had to bear the brunt of discrimination between herself and Nirmala. Things never improved, so I left the house when Ameya was four. I was tired of the daily arguments…..”

“..….and the vehement fight you had with your father a few months back over property which axed your relationship. Then you plotted to kill Raghu out of jealousy….”

“NO!NO! Why would I kill my brother? We have had our scuffles, but murder?” Ganesh fell to his knees, tears wetting his pastel-blue shirt.

Chaaya Sule, the lady subordinate, strode in with Nirmala in tow and whispered something to Atul. A flicker of surprise crossed his face.

Nirmala comforted Ganesh and helped him sit on a chair.

Atul reached for his jacket on his way out.

“Arrest Ganesh. Nirmala can go. I want everyone’s phone records and tap their conversations with immediate effect. Post two constables at the Phule bungalow to monitor their daily activities.” His retreating voice ordered.

***

September 12, 2022, CBI Office, Shanti Nagar, Pune

10 a.m

“So Chaaya, what does the forensic team say? Did they check Raghu’s cash bag also?”

 “Yes sir, they have also collected evidence from the spot where he was beaten and left to die. The bag has multiple fingerprints, Nirmala’s also. Once we have the possible suspects, we’ll try to match it with them.”

Atul banged his fist on the table in exasperation, “What about his scooter? It is unimaginable how he could drive back home….”

“Absolutely,” Sishir, Atul’s subordinate, interrupted, “It is roughly a five-km drive from the crime scene. But it has only Raghu’s fingerprints and blood stains. So we returned it.”

Atul ignored that. “Sishir, anything from the call records? Raghu mentioned Ganesh, so his brother is the prime suspect but he also indicated FIVE. So is it five friends or maybe Ganesh has a gang so five gangsters? The post-mortem report has clarity that multiple people are involved. Only sticks and a butcher knife has been used.”

“Sir,” Chhaya’s words flowed from deep thought, “ There could be five people with the same name- Ganesh, known to Raghu.”

She expected some praise from her senior but Atul only smiled, “Good! There is a possibility, but no likelihood, that they would get together to kill Raghu. If we find any other Ganesh, this case is worth it.”

September 25, 2002, Ravi Phule’s Bungalow, Sankarwadi, Pune

10 a.m

It was a calm Wednesday morning. Nirmala sat by the window sipping her coffee. The police enquiries and ensuing gossip of neighbours had trickled down a few days back. Everyone was limping back to normalcy though Raghu’s absence was suffocating.

She had started attending to Raghu’s business for a few hours daily to shake off the gnawing grief and discomfiture of the investigation news. She knew that the police suspected her of having teamed up with her brother-in-law or someone else and committed the crime. But her call records were clean and the bank statements had nothing askew, so she was let off.

A sudden commotion in the house brought her back to her coffee which had gone cold.

She hurried out of her room to see Raghu’s aunt sobbing and shouting at the same time.

“Savithri Vahini, we loved Raghu as much as you did. My Ganesh may not be having a well-paying job like Raghu but he is honest. And MURDER!

DEVAA….. how could you do this to us?” She slumped down near the doorway, her sari falling off her shoulders.

Nirmala rushed to her. “Aunty, don’t slander us please. We never told the police about your son. One cannot understand their mentality.”

The flame of anger and hurt singed Nirmala’s exposed skin. She shrank back as Aunty slowly helped herself stand erect and strode out, muttering curses.

Nirmala let her tears seep into her mother-in-law’s defeated shoulders.

Same Day, CBI Office

“Thank you, Atul Sir,” Chaaya beamed from ear to ear.

“Thanks to you, we have two of Raghu’s brothers- Ganesh one and Ganesh two-to be precise in our custody. We have three more to go.” Atul exercised his stiff shoulders after ‘treating’ the culprit.

He strode out after a cup of tea to Tilakwadi Police Station. There was tremendous pressure from the commissioner to fast-track and wrap up the case.

“Atul, file an FIR against your suspects immediately, else you can’t hold them for long without permissible evidence,” he had cautioned a few days ago.

He had done so and now had to meet the SHO of Tilakwadi to get the latest reports on call records and observation of family movements.

“ Sorry, Sir, we haven’t got much on anyone in the family. Just normal conversations with relatives or customers of Raghu’s business.” Ravikant, the SHO said.

Atul didn’t give up. “Show me the records of Raghu and these Ganesh brothers.”

He couldn’t spot a pattern, yet he took it to his office to check at leisure.

“Sishir, call the numbers whom you suspect even slightly. We have to burn the midnight lamp on this. One more thing, we need CCTV records of the place where this happened…..”

“Sir, Raghu had taken a deserted road to reach home instead of the Tilak market area through which he travelled usually after work. There’s no CCTV in that area.”

“Why?” Atul’s voice mirrored his heightened curiosity. “And we need information on the remaining Ganesh(s).”

September 29, 2002, Raghu’s office, Gandhi Chowk, Pune

Sishir looked around the tiny office as Nirmala efficiently handled a customer. Her simple cotton sari and smile magnified her inner struggle and remorse.

Poor lady! It hasn’t been a month since her husband passed.

“Madam, why did Raghu take the deserted road?” he tried to be gentle when they were alone.

“It was Ganpati Visarjan day. I had told him to come by that road as the market area would be very crowded. It would take hours to reach home. And yes, there is no CCTV in that area.” She rattled off mechanically for the umpteenth time.

“Sir, please release my brother-in-law and cousin. We are facing the wrath of the atrocities you commit. In these difficult times, our relatives are cursing instead of sympathizing with us. Please think about their families. They are simple folks.”

He looked at her sternly. “That we’ll soon know. Is there a CCTV here?”

“No sir, Raghu never installed it though I warned him a couple of times. But there is one down this road. It is in a small cafeteria.”

Sishir jumped up and hurried out as if he had found a treasure.

Bansi, the young Bihari owner, welcomed him with a warm smile which never left him even when he knew that Sishir was with CBI, investigating Raghu’s murder.

A rare occurrence indeed!

“Here’s the footage, Sir.”

Sishir had tea and a samosa, which Bansi offered for free. He thought he was developing a headache listening to Bansi’s continuous chatter, so he got up to go.

October 15, 2002, CBI Office

Ravi Phule’s lawyer, Mr. Tiwari, sat across from Atul.

 “Sir, you know the rules. You can’t detain a person for so long for questioning without evidence. Did you get anything out of them?”

Atul banged the wall, exasperated as they were nowhere near to finding the culprit even after a month.

Sishir said quietly, looking at Chaaya, “Sir, I think we are on the wrong track. There may not be five people by the same name. Raghu said, ‘Ganeshcha’, means it could be five people known to Ganesh, and not Ganesh as such.”

Atul felt a tiny spark of light tingling his nerves into action after weeks of groping in futile darkness.

“He is right, Sir,” Chaaya smiled a bit.

“Okay, if it is someone known to Ganesh, Raghu might have indicated about his elder brother’s contacts rather than his cousin’s. He might have easily identified at least some or all of them.”

Atul had begun weaving the threads right now after discarding several knotted ones.

“I think we should allow Ganesh(s) to go home and keep a stringent watch over them. This will lead us on to some clues.”

The Ganesh(s) were bailed out soon, much to their family’s relief.

The close watch of the CCTV footage didn’t go in vain.

“Sir, we scrutinized this before.” Sishir was excited. “Look at these three people. They were the last customers before Raghu closed shop that fateful day, Bansi said yesterday when I visited him again. He had gone to the office to serve tea and samosas, which he often did.”

“Did they come anytime before? Was there any argument between Raghu and these three that day?” Atul prodded.

“According to Bansi, no. It was a normal debtor-lender conversation.” Sishir tried to understand what his boss was getting at.

“LOOK!”, Atul’s scream darted at them.

“Chaaya, where have we seen this red bike on which these people are driving away?” he questioned after zooming the view a couple of times.

Only the ticking of the old clock was heard for sometime.

“Sir, I saw this at the Phule bungalow recently, when I was monitoring the place on the day of Raghu’s first month Remembrance Day.” Chaaya’s pointed hand shivered in excitement.

“Call Nirmala immediately!” Atul hollered.

October 22, 2002, CBI Office

“Sorry that you are unwell, ma’am. But we know only you will be honest, emotionless and sensible about this.” Atul looked at her in anticipation.

Her feverish eyes went through the footage closely.

“This is Ameya’s bike. But I don’t know these young chaps. Usually, only middle-aged or senior citizens take loans for personal or business use.”

“Thank you ma’am. We will be closing this soon. Till then, none of your family will travel out of the city.” Atul’s firm voice quietened her inquisitiveness.

***

The next day

Ameya and his accomplices, all under eighteen, sat tapping the cold floor of the cell impatiently. Their fingerprints were taken and linked successfully, nailing them to the murder of Raghu.

Atul sat across him, while Sishir and another officer kept an eye on him during the interrogation.

“Raghu said Ganesh. Is your father involved in this crime?” an officer quizzed.

Ameya’s stoic look was fixated on the floor.

Truth hesitated then shuffled out, “Raghu chacha was the reason for fights at home. My grandfather scoffed at my father every time he went there. He was regarded as a useless, good-for nothing son and a husband. Ajoba told my father clearly that he had to leave his drinking habit and start earning, or else he would bestow all his wealth and property to Raghu. My dad tried but he couldn’t bring home sufficient money. My mother was humiliated for her poor looks at family functions. I never got any pocket money or a phone like my friends at school. I have seen happy faces in my family as far as I can remember. If at all, my father earned, it was never enough for my rich grandfather. I was tired of hearing Raghu’s praises being sung all the time.”

He looked at Atul, who signalled him to continue.

“I have been planning this for some months. Once, Aaji said that Raghu uncle took the deserted road during Ganesh Utsav. I knew there was a CCTV camera nearby, so I didn’t go. My three friends faked their visit and kept a vigil later on uncle. I waited with my friend, who had the weapons, on the travel route. We thought it was all done and ran away within fifteen minutes of attacking him as per our plan. But …..” Ameya sobbed.

“You forgot that a criminal leaves a clue. Justice is never denied.”

 ***

Glossary:

Baba- Father or Father-in-law in Marathi

Aai- Mother or Mother-in-law in Marathi

Raghune Vicharla Sanga- Inform that Raghu enquired about him.

Vahini- sister-in-law, Chacha- uncle   

Aaji- grandmother, Aajoba- grandfather.