Andhakasura’s Revenge

Datia is a small town that comes under Gwalior, M.P. It is stretched across approx. 2,038 km are, and its population as per km is around 386 and its total population is around 786,754. This is all according to latest records, mind you. Also, the distance between Datia and Bhopal, the capital of M.P. is around 30-344 kms. Now, this story takes place in this small, quaint town where the atmosphere still seems like it is stuck somewhere between the pre-independence days and the early ears of independent India. Though, everyone carries a mobile phone, the town has 3 internet cafes, one small mall, 4 multiplexes and smaller shopping plazas; however, the people seem to like to live in the past. Perhaps this is because nothing sizzling happens here. However, all of this was about to change. The residents of Datia were going to get the biggest publicity and they could not have imagines that their small town would be the talk of the whole world also along with the whole of the nation.

Sameer Saxena was a retired IAS officer who had returned to his hometown after a long time. He was a happy 65-year-old grandfather with 3 sons and two daughters all of them married, except the youngest son, who stayed with them, His elder brother Pradeep Saxena, a retired forest officer also stayed with hi along with his family consisting of his wife, two daughters and a son. The Saxenas were a highly respected family, and also were admired by everyone in the town. They seemed to be always happy, helpful and compassionate people. Sameer Saxena had a habit of taking an evening walk after 8:00 p.m. every night. On the way he used to meet people who greeted him, chatted with him, or just respectfully bowed their heads. Let me tell you that both Sameer and Pradeep were the sons of a zamindar, Chaudhary Veerendra Saxena, now that zamindary system is a thing that is taught in history books and completely defunct.

Well, that was a brief background of the story now let’s get on with our tale. So, as I was saying, Sameer Saxena had a habit of taking an evening walk everyday exactly at 8:30 p.m. That day also, he was taking the last round of his walk when he suddenly got an image message from an unknown number. He checked his phone and was taken aback looking at a picture of a grinning ‘Asura’. He thought someone must have played a prank and deleted it and went on walking. After maybe 5-10 minutes, he again got the same message, he got surprised and thought someone was deliberately being naughty and thought of his grandchildren doing this. He decided to have a word with them when he got back from his walk. As he was about to approach his house, he was jolted out of his reverie by the loud ringing of his phone. “Damn! Should have got used to them by now.” Thought Sameer and picked up the phone. “Hello…….” There was no response. “Hello……….? Sameer asked and again there was no response. He cut the connection and went ahead. Sameer was about to open the gate to his large and beautiful house when the phone rang a second time. “Hello……? He again said. There was no response this time also. He got infuriated and said “Why are you calling when you don’t want to answer>” The call got disconnected this time. As he was about to enter the house, he could see his wife of more than 30 years standing at the kitchen along with daughter-in-law and youngest son chatting away. The children were in the drawing room watching cartoons, while his elder brother Pradeep was in deep conversation with his wife. Sameer felt so relieved to finally come back to the environment where he knew he was safe and happy. As he was having a sense of dark foreboding from the moment he got the message. Anyways, he went inside and the moment his grandchildren ran to him all his feeling of foreboding just melted and he was laughing, playing and enjoying every moment of his life. It was a Friday. The next evening Sameer again went for an evening walk and again the same thing repeated which had taken the previous day. He again ignored the messages and kept on deleting them. It was the third day that Sameer decided to meet an old friend of his, a retired cop, Rajveer Singh, now, it was said of Rajveer that he was one of the most corrupt officers in Madhya Pradesh’ Police Force, and also one of the sleaziest ones that anyone has ever seen. He could get out of any tough spot by his sheer ability to suck up and point the blame at someone else. This is how he had gotten out of one of the most dangerous situations in his career and which would have a further bearing on this tale.

“Hey Sameer, how are you? Haven’t seen you in a while. Where have you been? Rajveer shot off all this questions when they met at a coffee shop. As Sameer entered, he knew it was a bad idea as he could see that Rajveer was drunk as usual and garrulous and frivolous in his behavior. Rajveer, on the other hand, when saw the troubled look on his friend’s face tried to act a bit sober and again asked “what’s wrong Sam?” This is how Sameer’s close used to call him still in these times. Sameer looked around and just made sure that no one was looking at them or trying to listen in. Then he showed his friend the images and the messages some of which he had saved in another folder in his phone.

Rajveer just looked at them with a puzzled expression on his face. “What are these?” He asked.

Sameer looked at him incredulous and asked “Don’t you understand these?” “Someone has been sending these messages to me in some weird language and all these grotesque images for the last few days.” I have deleted most of the stuff lest my wife takes a look but these I have saved in a secret folder under a pseudonym which my wife doesn’t know.” Rajveer looked at his friend’s face and could make out that he was troubled. Getting all serious now, he asked “Have you showed it to anyone else, the police?” Sameer looked up and no. “Don’t worry buddy, send these to me and I will try to find out who this clown is and why is he troubling you? Then we will take care of him like we did all those years ago, right?” Rajveer winked at Sameer. Sameer grew pale at this and said in a panicked voice “Don’t you ever talk about that, do you understand?” Rajveer was taken aback and said in a reconciliatory tone “Okay……. Okay…. Whatever you say friend?”

Sameer said “You got to find out who this joker is and let me know, you understand?” Rajveer nodded and said “Relax friend, I have got it all covered.” Sameer looked at him skeptically and nodded, then got off the table and went outside. Meanwhile, Rajveer finished his coffee which had more of alcohol content, paid the bill, and just out of nowhere gave kiss on the cheek of a waiter and went out laughing. As Rajveer was making his way towards his car, he saw that it was pleasant evening and many people were on the street just enjoying the weather. He just went on his way swaying from side to side when he was jostled by a stranger in a dark Black overcoat and Black hat covering his face. Rajveer literally tumbled off to a side lest the stranger did not put out a supporting hand to steady him. Rajveer looked up at the stranger but only could see that that man’s was all pink and his eyes were shining bright. However, he did not register much. “I am extremely sorry sir.” The stranger said and went off. It seemed he was in a hurry. Rajveer just kept on looking at him. He had quizzical expression on his face. It felt like he was trying to remember something and remember it quick. He rummaged through his pocket and checked his phone. As he checked hi phone his face grew as pale as Sameer’s, as it was the same face as Sameer had sent him on his phone. Before Rajveer could call out or make any kind of sound he was gripped with a terrible pain in his chest area. It felt like someone was poking him with hot fire rods. His body started to grow rigid and he fell on the pavement writhing in pain. Before the people passing by could understand anything Rajveer was dead with his mouth wide open, as if he wanted to scream. Women started to scream and the men just gathered over his body not sure what do. Until, a stranger pushed aside the growing crowd, bent down and checked for the vitals and then in a solemn voice declared “He is dead……. Can anybody call the police and an ambulance please?”

The next day, Sameer got the biggest jolt of his life when he read about Rajveer’s sudden death in the newspapers. It was even being shown in the televisions and this made him more worried. His wife of 35 years saw the worried expression in her husband’s face and asked “What’s the matter dear? You look tense.” Sameer looked away from the television screen and just said that it’s so strange how did Rajveer die? As according to Sameer, Rajveer was a perfectly healthy guy even at this age. His wife could understand the grief and shock her husband must have felt at losing such a close friend for more than 40 years. “I can understand dear how you must be feeling right now.” Sameer just nodded at her and got up from the sofa and went outside so that he could think properly and decide on his future course of action. Right then, he got another message on his phone. It was again from the same number where he had got the earlier messages. This time the message was a bit long and the image was also more grotesque and grinning. At least, that’s what it seemed to Sameer. He immediately forwarded the message to the secret folder and wiped his face as he had started sweating.

Now he was really panicking and did not know what to do when he suddenly remembered that he could to another friend and ask for some help. Meanwhile, the police had already started investigating the case and the Investigating Officer was an officer who was said to be humorous and a thorough officer with a keen eye for little details. His name was Inspector Karan Mehra, and the first thing he did arriving at the scene was to call for a forensics team and get the growing crowd of onlookers moved to one side. “Who is he?” He asked the people around. Nobody knew. “His name is Rajveer Singh and he was a retired Police Officer Sir.” Replied his constable, Vikram Singh. “How did he die?” he asked one of the people. “We don’t know sir, as we just saw him tumble on to the pavement and writhe in agony.” One of the onlookers replied. “Who are you? “My name is Akshay Sharma and I was just passing by.” “Did you see anyone or hear anything? The witness just shook his head. By this time the doctor, Dr Kamal Singh had arrived and was going through the preliminary investigation. “Well doctor, what do you think?” Inspector Karan asked. Dr Kamal looked him over and after a careful thought, said “Well, it looks from the initial investigation that he died from a massive heart attack. Of course, I have to do a thorough check up.” The doctor replied with a smug expression on his face. Karan just looked at him and looked away. Both of them had a past history. After, the ambulance had carried away the deceased’s body and Dr Kamal Singh had left the scene, it was then that Inspector Karan started interviewing the people who were there at the time.

He could get barely anything of significance from them as they all had been just people who were out enjoying the weather yesterday evening. However, from all of the people he interviewed, there was one thing common. All of them said that as soon as Rajveer had fallen and died writhing on the floor, there was this anonymous man who had appeared out of nowhere and bent down and checked Rajveer’s vitals. Also, all of them said that he had just upped and vanished as the first sirens of the oncoming police vehicle was heard. “How did he look like? What was he wearing? Was there anything special about him in the way he walked, looked and talked?” Inspector Karan asked them, but he just drew blanks from most of the people. Just when it seemed to Karan that it was a waste of time, then there was this was one woman, who could remember one tiny detail that man smelled of a very strong cologne and looked as if he has just returned from a play. “What makes you think that” Karan asked the woman. The woman looked in deep concentration and, in a moment, she said “Well, you could smell the cologne from a long distance; as it was a smell that could attract any woman, and also with one small fleeting glimpse I had of the stranger, it looked as if the man had just wiped off some kind of make-up from his face.” Inspector Karan was now attentive and concentrating on the woman. “Did you get a good look at the man?” He asked her. The woman again said that since the man was in a hurry she could just barely get a glimpse and that too hazy as the man was also wearing a big hat which covered half of his face and another strange thing was that the man was wearing a dark brown overcoat, which was kind of strange in this kind of weather. Now, this seemed interesting to Karan. A stranger who appears out of nowhere wearing a dark Black overcoat in the middle of a heatwave, wearing a big Black hat, who smelled of a strong cologne and who seemed to have some kind of make-up on his face. Not much but something to go on. It was you know, an evening of June when this incident took place. And June is known to be cruel in summers. So, this led Karan thinking that what could make a man wear an overcoat in the middle of June, even if the weather was a bit pleasant for a change yesterday evening?

So, he asked Vikram Singh to access all the CCTV cameras and see if anyone was wearing a dark Brown overcoat and big Black hat that evening. Meanwhile, further during the background check of Rajveer Singh, it was found that he was a loner and had nobody that could be called as a family. Except a close friend, someone named Sameer Saxena. In fact, the police found that a lot of calls had taken place between the two of them. Karan and the police team also found that a lot of strange messages and some strange weird images on Rajveer’s phone which were sent by Sameer. They also found out about another close friend who we will come to know about in a while.

The pathologist had, in the meanwhile, informed Karan that Rajveer had been completely drunk and this might have caused the sudden heart attack; although they were in the in the process of getting a complete report generated. One more thing, the time of Rajveer’s death was somewhere around 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. that evening. Karan had also confirmed from the coffee house that an elderly guy had come to visit Rajveer that day and they had spent around 45 mins together. The coffee house staff also said that nothing untoward had transpired the time they were there. Also, Rajveer had lingered on for 5-10 minutes more after the old man had left and then paid for both of them and left. There was this one thing which raised Karan’s eyebrow that according to everyone, that Rajveer had been garrulous and frivolous with the staff throughout the time he was there. So, it naturally raised a question that who could have done this to a supposedly jolly old man?

Now, Karan thought that this guy Sameer should know something about Rajveer’s mysterious death and also Karan wanted to ask about the messages and the images. So, the next day, Inspector Karan Sharma went with his constable to seek some answers from Sameer Saxena. When Karan went to have a chat with Sameer Saxena, it was he who was rather in for a surprise. He was taken aback by grandeur and luxury the Saxenas had, also he could not escape the accompanying respect and admiration from the people surrounding him and his servants. It was as if all of them revered him. Anyways, he was escorted straight to the study room where Sameer was sitting behind a huge ancient mahogany wooden table, which was especially hand crafted. Even the floors had carpets and the walls were all adorned with oil paintings of previous generations. All of this opulence seemed to put off Inspector Karan, however he managed to keep himself in check. “So, where were you Mr. Sameer at the time of your friend’s death?” He came straight to the point right after the introductions were done. “Well, I had gone to meet my old friend, Rajveer, had some coffee and talked about old times. Later on, we went our separate ways.” Sameer replied. Karan looked at him and asked “If you don’t mind, may I know what were you talking about?” Sameer grew indignant instantly and his cheeks flushed “How can you ask such a question? Meeting an old friend after a long time isn’t a crime, is it Inspector?” He asked forcefully. Inspector Karan calmly looked at him and before saying anything showed him the messages and the images found on Rajveer’s phone. He could immediately see that the color from Sameer’s face drained. He started fidgeting. Although he tried to remain calm but his eyes betrayed him. “I have been getting these for the last 4-5 days before I met Rajveer. I had gone to seek advice and help from him, that’s all.” Karan looked at him and saw that as if Sameer had just let a big secret out of his system. And this had been rotting his insides. “You could have come to us, Mr. Sameer.” Sadi Karan. “I did not what to do, I could not just go and say that there is some joker who is doing this to me.” Karan then said “You know Mr. Sameer that ex-Inspector Rajveer was one of the most corrupt officers in the police force. Also, we know that you had been friends with for the last 40 years.” Sameer just nodded his head. Karan knew that this man knew nothing else or he was a very good actor. Either way, they had to conclude the interview as they had to go and interview another close friend of the deceased Rajveer. Karan had also mentioned this to Sameer just to check his reaction. “You know, Mr. Sameer, that we know that you, Rajveer and Jitendra Nautiyal were three very close friends since your schooldays and you continued this till the end of your college when all of you went separate ways.” Sameer looked at Karan and was surprised to know that the police had found about all of them but just nodded at him.

So, they took his leave and as they were exiting his house, his constable Vikram Singh said “Sir, did you notice how Sameer got all panicky and jittery when you mentioned Jitendra Nautiyal’s name?”

“Yeah… Come to think of it, I did notice something odd in his behavior.” Karan replied after giving it a deep think. “So, are we going there right now?” asked Vikram Singh.

“No, we will go pay him a visit tomorrow first thing in the morning.” Replied Karan.

That very evening, Jitendra Nautiyal, a ruthless and mean business tycoon of 65 years was anxiously waiting for someone. As his wife had gone to visit her relatives and wouldn’t be back by the next day. He was in his expensive bathrobe with a expensive wine glass and taking a steam bath in his French bathroom. It was around 7:30 p.m. when he heard the doorbell. Getting excited just like a kid, he got up from his steam bathroom and anxiously hoping that it would be the person whom he was so desperately waiting for, opened the door. He did not even consider for a moment to check his state-of the- art – security system which he had installed couple of years before.

The next day, as Inspector Karan and constable Vikram were setting out of the station to pay a visit to Jitendra Nautiyal, the phone in Karan’s office rang and he got the news that Jitendra Nautiyal has been murdered. Karan was stunned as he was thinking he could get some useful information out of him. When the police team reached Jitendra’s house they encountered a grisly scene. All of the lavish furniture was stained with blood. There was blood on the carpet, on the table, on the walls. It seemed like the killer enjoyed spraying the victims’ blood everywhere. In the bedroom it was a far worse scene. Jitendra Nautiyal was tied to a chair with his head lolling over his chest. Here it again felt like the killer enjoyed his time with the victim. Jitendra was tied naked to the chair. Not only was he stabbed multiple times, but also, he was strangled and beaten so many times that it was really difficult to recognize him. His wife who had gone out the previous evening, had come back to find the door slightly open. Alarmed, she had barged in calling out his name. When she got no response, she went inside the bedroom and it was here she found her late husband in this wretched condition. She screamed and fainted on the spot. It was only the neighbours, who heard her unearthly scream came rushing in and saw the scene and called the police. Inspector Karan Singh immediately asked the people to clear off the crime scene and called for forensics and the coroner to rush to the crime spot.

Well, it wouldn’t have taken a Sherlock Holmes to deduce that the killer wanted to inflict the maximum pain on Jitendra Nautiyal. Also, Karan could see some strange lines written on the wall of the bedroom with the deceased’s blood. Although he tried a lot to decipher them but could not. He then thought that a language expert would also have to be called for this.

On the other hand, news of the murder of business tycoon Jitendra Nautiyal had spread like wild-fire. Sameer was really nervous now, two of his buddies had been killed for no apparent motive. His wife saw him fidgeting with the remote and when she asked him “What’s the matter?” He just said it was nothing but, she could understand that something was troubling him.

Karan Singh was also flummoxed at this second murder. He decided to once again pay a visit to Sameer in the hope of getting some answers. Meanwhile, the final autopsy report on Rajveer Singh had come and it said that some amounts of poison had been found in the deceased’s body. Now the question arose, that how did this poison find its way inside him and who gave it to him? Once again, Karan and Vikram Singh his constable interviewed the owner of the café and his staff. This time also, their answer was that when he went outside, he was perfectly fine. This ruled out any kind of misdeed being committed inside the café by any of its members as per the report, the poison had acted instantaneously, and this was the reason why Rajveer had writhed on the ground in excruciating pain for a while. There were too many questions and not a single clue. This was both frustrating and embarrassing for Inspector Karan Singh and the whole police force.

At the same time, there was someone else also who taking a keen interest in this case through newspapers and evening news reports. Retired criminal and forensic psychologist, Dr. Niranjan Chakravorty of Kolkata Police was very much into crimes and mysteries and also used his brain in solving little mysteries in whatever way he could. He was a famous psychiatrist who had worked for Kolkata police for more than 30 years. He had also study criminal profiling under the world-renowned American Law Enforcement Officer John Clark. Dr. Niranjan was a bachelor and was living with just a servant, a driver and a gardener at his ancestral home in Nadia District in West Bengal. He was often consulted for his expertise by the police department in various cases and also, he had been helping police departments of other states. He had also written equally famous and bestsellers on the behavioral pattern of criminals and serial killers. He was many a times the chief guest on many reality talk shows on the topics of crime and crime solvers. Now, it had been quite a few months, when Dr. Niranjan was looking for some new excitement. Which he got in the latest spree of strange murders in a remote district in M.P. Another hidden aspect was that Dr Niranjan was also quite an expert on ancient Indian languages. A skill that would come handy in the near future. His servant said “babusaheb, what do you think, who is the killer?” Dr Niranjan looked at him and with a knowing smile said “arrey Gopal, this is just the beginning. Just wait and watch what further unfolds.” His servant was quite confused and mystified but left it at that.

Anyways, getting back to the story, Yugal Kishore Sharma, an editor-in-chief of the leading daily newspaper was also very apprehensive about these latest mysterious killings. Let me tell you, Yugal was also one of Sameer’s closest friends. It was hot humid evening when Sameer called Yugal and discussed about these murders. “What do you think who is committing these murders? A nervous Sameer asked. “Even I am trying to find out Sam.” Yugal replied. “Do you think someone knows our secret and is now taking vengeance?” Sameer again asked. “Don’t be stupid Sam.” barked Yugal. “Talking about such things over the phone.” Sameer apologized and said “do you think we should tell him?” Yugal could not believe his ears. “What are you talking about? Do you think he doesn’t know already? Anyways, I have to go to a meeting now. Don’t worry, I will sort everything out, okay” Yugal was in a hurry and wanted to disconnect. Sameer was reluctant to hang up but did so apprehensively. Yugal made his way to the car thinking about the conversation when someone called out “Mr. Yugal?” He turned around and that was the last time anyone saw him alive.

Inspector Karan Singh was pondering on how to go about solving the cases when his phone abruptly rang. It was the Deputy Commissioner of Police. “Have you seen the television lately?” It sounded more like an accusation than a question. “No sir…. I did not get the chance.” Stammered Karan, not understanding the undertone. “Well, you better, because a third murder has taken place. This time, it is of one of the most notable and respected journalists in the state. Mr. Yugal Kishore Sharma, I am sure you must heard of him? “Karan just kept quiet. “Your silence says it all, go to the crime scene immediately, it seems that the killer has burnt Mr. Yugal alive and not only that, he has made a gruesome video of the live burning and uploaded it on the internet.” Inspector Karan was completely stunned at this news. He immediately switched on the television and all the channels were telecasting the news of the live burning of Yugal Kishore Sharma. The same thing was on the social media. He immediately contacted the cyber-cell and asked them to find out about the IP address from where the video has been uploaded. He then went to the crime spot. Smell of burning and charred flesh immediately wafted up Inspector Karan Singh and the police party’s nostrils as they made their way towards the charnel house where poor Mr. Yugal Kishore Sharma’s body lay like a roasted, charred and over-cooked lamb. The room was in a small abandoned cottage not far from the town and the cottage was also completely gutted by the fire. By this time, the cyber-cell had found out that the video had been made and uploaded from Mr. Yugal’s mobile only. “How sick and demented this killer is.” Remarked Vikram Singh. Inspector Karan just looked at him and nodded.

Now, not only the state’s attention but also, rather the whole nation’s attention was towards this small town ‘Datia’ in M.P. where these gruesome murders were taking place. It seemed ironic that otherwise this quaint little town hardly got any attention, but now it was in the center of a major storm. The media and public were howling for justice. Sameer Saxena was a nervous wreck now. He did not what to do. Whom to approach. One by one, all of his closest friends had been killed in the most gruesome manner. It seemed that someone was after him and was making him suffer this way. Now, Sameer had no choice but to approach his last hope. He thought maybe this person would be able to get themselves out of this mess as he was one of the most powerful politicians of the whole of M.P. Raja Gajendranath Chaudhary, an ex- member of the royalty and a very powerful politician in the ruling party was also feeling that something was not right. It was more after the call he attended from Sameer that increased his tensions a bit more. One more thing, the police had found strange writings on the charred walls of the cottage also. They were desperately trying to decipher the meaning of these lines.

The killer, on the other hand, was really satisfied that he had done a great job till now. It was now he realized that how important it was for him to learn about his past, about who he was. All these years it felt like he was just living someone else’s life. But now, he felt like he had got a purpose and he has just started.

Meanwhile, the autopsy report on the type of poison used on Rajveer was a shocker to the police department and to Inspector Karan Singh. The report specifically mentioned that a a very rare poison called ‘Imogen’ is extracted from a very rare species of frogs called the ‘Golden Frog.” This kind of rare frog is just 45 cms in length and has a very dangerous poisonous gland within its body with which it shoots out poison spurts to protect itself from predators. I mean, one drop of this poison could kill a human in 10 mins. That’s exactly the time it took for Rajveer to die writhing in pain. Ironically, it has no antidote because this particular species of animal is extremely rare and found in extremely tropical conditions. In India, it can be found in the jungles of the North-East, or down in the island of Andaman & Nicobar Island. 

According to some reports, this poison has also some beneficial qualities, like its poison is used for research on cancer patients and other terminal diseases. So, now, all Inspector Karan had to do was to find out about the source. The police higher ups, meanwhile were getting the heat and they decided to call Dr. Niranjan Chakravorty to help them on their case.

Sameer, was completely going insane. He was so scared that he stopped ging for the evening walks that he used to, he stopped meeting with people, and he now started keeping a gun with at all times. This seemed very odd and shaking to his family but he was adamant on all of these so they decided to respect his wishes but their concern for his safety and well-being kept on increasing.

The first thing Dr. Niranjan did as soon as he landed at Indore airport was to rush to the ‘Datia’, and then make beeline to the police station. His man servant and a personal aide also went along with him. To Dr. Niranjan, Inspector Karan Seemed odd at the very first instance. The way he welcomed the doctor, his demeanor, the way he was handling the investigation, all of it. In fact, he talked about his doubts with his aide Rajit. “Why do you think like that sir?” asked Rajit. “I don’t know, it’s just that I have an odd feeling about this guy, that’s all.” Dr. Niranjan said.

Although, Dr. Niranjan was given a grand welcome and all the senior brass of the police were glad that he could take out time and come here to help, however, Dr. Niranjan just shook his head and said that it is honour that he was given so much recognition.

Raja Gajendranath Chaudhary was having a peaceful sleep at 11:00 p.m. at his huge palatial house when he suddenly heard a loud bang coming from downstairs. He was awakened so abruptly that he got up cursing his wife who was sleeping quite peacefully by his side. Then he again heard the noise, he grew mor furious and called his night-time secretary who was manning the night time desk downstairs. “Find out who is making this noise, right now” growled Gajendra nath.

Surprisingly, there was no response from the other end as the killer had just strangled the secretary and had picked up the phone on a whim. He just smiled and proceeded to his next part of the plan and he did not have to worry about security as he had taken care of it. As Gajendranath again tried to sleep all the lights of the house were suddenly extinguished. He got up shouting and cursing and his wife jolted up and asked him to go find out rather than shouting here in the bedroom. He was surprised that the secretary was not even picking up the phone. It was also raining very heavily that night. Thunder struck lightning was making a racket as it is. 

Anyways, Gajendranath picked up a flashlight and went down cursing to investigate. The first thing he saw as he came down that the front gate was wide open. He screamed at his secretary to answer him but there was no response. Somehow, he went over the receptionist’s desk and was further taken aback when he saw no one there. The banging noise again startled him. He took a step and stumbled upon the body of his receptionist whose eyes were wide open in terror. Now, Gajendranath was scared a bit, he called out to his bodyguards but none of them came running to him as they normally used to do. He then somehow made his way to front gat and saw a gruesome sight, all of his bodyguards were strewn around the front entrance. All of them dead. He started panicking and screamed for his wife. But she could not hear him from upstairs and she was sleeping peacefully. He then heard a strange laughter and turned around. He saw a man dressed in a very weird costume; it was his face that was interesting. It was all covered in pink, with eyes and lip painted in red. It was a strange sight to see with all of the face covered in multi-coloured paint, only the moustache was completely black. Gajendranath got scared and tried to call the police, but all the lines were disconnected. He cursed himself for not getting his mobile which was at his bedside table.

“Who are you? What do you want?” Gajendranath asked but the killer did not say anything. Rather, he started speaking in a strange language and advancing towards Gajendranath. The rain had picked up more virulently and the thunderstorms were louder, so even if, Gajendranath wanted to scream, no one could hear him. He was really terrified when he saw the killer come nearer to him with a large shine knife. “Please……………. I will give you everything……. please don’t kill me.” He pleaded, the killer just smiled and went to work on him.

By the time Gajendranath’s wife woke and her husband screaming, she came rushing downstairs. She looked at the killer wielding a blow-torch and her husband, who was bound hand and foot to a chair. All of his clothes were neatly lying to a side and most of his skin had been burned. She could see that her husband desperately looked at her for help, but she stood frozen there for a second and fainted right to the ground. The killer also had to hurry now as he had been spotted, so quickly finishing his job he made a hasty retreat from the place. While making his way back, he bumped into a woman and while regaining his balance he just gave a furtive glance on to her. This was the biggest mistake in what otherwise would have been termed as a flawless scheme of things for the killer. As the person whom he bumped into was the same woman who saw him for the first time at the time of Rajveer’s death.

The next day, Niranjan and Inspector Karan were going over the reports and details of this case. What seemed odd to Niranjan was that most of the killings had taken place after 6:00 p.m., the time Inspector Karan went off-duty. Each time the murder took place when Inspector Karan was unable to be traced. Another thing which struck Niranjan odd was that the way Karan kept on looking at this mobile constantly. He even asked Karan “Why do you keep looking at you mobile so often?” Inspector Karan was startled by this and said that since he did not wear a watch; he had to constant keep himself abreast of the time. This answer somehow didn’t convince Niranjan.

“Did you find out he way Rajveer was administered the poison?” this he asked after reading the autopsy reports. Karan looked blank. “Is Rajveer’s body still at the morgue?” asked Niranjan.

“Then I would like to see it please if it is not much inconvenient.” Karan nodded. “Also, what about the progress on the lines found at the murder scenes of Yugal Kishore and the businessman?” Niranjan asked again. This again drew an uncomfortable blank from Karan and he said “our code experts and language experts have been trying to decipher it but haven’t got any luck unfortunately.” Karan gave an apologetic look. “May I take a look at that report also?” Niranjan asked quizzically.

Karan immediately brought him the report. As they were going through the report, news of Gajendranath’s murder came to them as a rude shock. When Niranjan, Karan and the police party went to his house they were welcomed by a gruesome scene which was about to become worse. Here and there were bodies of the bodyguards strewn around. All of them had either been strangled, stabbed, or killed with a wire-garrote. All of the victims had a look of surprise and terror in their eyes. The worst part was yet to come. Inside Gajendranath’s wife was terribly wrought and was crying inconsolably. When Niranjan asked where is Mr. Gajendranath, she pointed to an inner room. They went inside and were immediately invaded with smell of burning flesh. Karan and his constable immediately put handkerchiefs to their nostrils whereas Niranjan just put hand to cover his nostril. Infront of them lay Politician and ex-royal Gajendranath Chaudhary’s naked and burnt body with signs where the blow-torch had done its job. “What a horrible way to die” remarked Inspector Karan. Niranjan just looked at him and nodded and went about searching the room. Here also, some had written something on the wall and had also inscribed with a sharp object on Gajendranath’s body the same lines. While looking around the room Niranjan found things strewn around everywhere. It was here he found something that was a bit startling for him. He just picked it up and kept it in his pocket and did not say anything about this to either Karan or any of the police party. Later on, while questioning Gajendranath’s wife “did you see or hear anyone?” “I only saw a man weirdly dressed and his face was all covered in pink paint look at me and then I fainted. I do not remember anything else.” She replied in-between sobs. The servants and other staff did not hear or see anything. The receptionist’s body was also examined and taken away.

While on their back, Niranjan was deep in thought when Inspector Karan asked “Sir, what are you thinking?” He looked at him and said “Oh! I was just thinking now the killer has started making some mistakes. That he is either too over-confident and arrogant, or he is genuinely stupid.” Niranjan looked at Karan pointedly and replied. “What makes you say that sir?” Karan asked. “Oh! Just a hunch.” It was all Niranjan said at the moment. Back at the station they started looking at the reports and after a careful examination of Rajveer’s body at the morgue, Niranjan exclaimed “aha! Exactly what I thought it would be.” Karan, Niranjan’s assistant and rest of the police personnel were confused and mystified by this claim. Niranjan looked at them knowingly and said “If you guys had made a thorough examination of the body you would have noticed a tiny puncture wound right at the base of the neck of the victim. It was made from either a thin sharp needle like object or an icepick.” He proclaimed proudly. Inspector Karan looked at the coroner and he was downcast ashamed. “Furthermore, this was thin sharp needle like object was dipped in the poison then administered to him from a very close range.” Niranjan continued. “Now, I would like to meet all the people who were witnesses to Rajveer’s death in the first place. At that very moment, there was this interruption at the police station and someone said that a woman had come in to see the Inspector. When asked who she is or what does she want, it was said that she had some information that might throw some light on the identity of the killer.

Both Niranjan and Inspector Karan jumped up in surprise and asked her to be escorted in. “What is your name ma’am and what do you know about this murderer?” Niranjan asked very politely. “My name is Shailja and I think I saw and smelt the killer very up close and personal.” The sixty something year old woman replied. She was a bit apprehensive coming to the station. “What makes you think like that?” Inspector Karan asked.

“Because on the night Rajveer was killed, I had a bump with a strange man who smelled of a very strong after-shave lotion. I also had a little glance at the man.” Both Niranjan and Karan looked at each other and rolled their eyes thinking that she might be some crank or something. Noticing their disbelief, the woman said “last night also, I bumped into the man who was running away from the politician’s house and again he had the same strong after-shave lotion and because it was a raining, I could get a better glimpse of him.” Now, Karan and Niranjan were really sitting upright and fully paying attention to this woman. “So, who was this man? How did he look and smell like” Niranjan asked.

The woman hesitated a bit before answering, she looked directly at Inspector Karan and said “he looked and smelt a lot like you.” The whole of the police station was stunned and silent as were both Niranjan and Karan Singh. Karan bristled at this accusation and said “You mean, I am the murderer, and I killed all these people?” The woman was scared and said “I did not say that sir. It’s simply there were a lot of similarities between the man a man I bumped into twice and you.” Niranjan quickly sensing the tense environment jumped in by saying “that’s all Ms. Shailja. We will call you if we need anything. Thanks for your cooperation.” The woman took their leave and quickly exited the station still feeling a bit uneasy. Inspector Karan was bristling at the accusation and lighted a cigarette. “Where is your ring Inspector Karan?” Niranjan asked. Karan was taken aback, he looked at his finger and saw that his ring was missing. “I have given it to be repaired as it was coming off too often.” Karan replied not looking at Niranjan. Niranjan just looked at him and said “okay, let’s take a look at those reports on those lines in a strange language.”

Dr. Niranjan had a tough time to convince Inspector Karan to let go of the old lady’s statement and concentrate on the task in hand, that was finding out about the person who supplied the poison to the killer and deciphering the language found at the crime scenes. Meanwhile, he had sent his aide, Rajit to get Ms. Shailja to a safe place and also to find out about a trusted hacker. When Rajit asked “Why do you need a hacker for Sir?” When Niranjan told him about his doubts Rajit was taken aback and a bit apprehensive “Won’t it be a bit risky Sir? What if he comes to know about it?” “I will think of something.” Replied Niranjan.

The media and opposition were all almost up in arms at these murders and were baying for someone’s blood. On the other hand, Dr. Niranjan had sent the transcripts to an old friend who wan an expert on ancient scripts and texts. “What have you got yourself in to this time Niranjan, eh?” his friend asked. “Same old story, would be great if you can do this on a priority basis and send it back to me.” The friend replied in affirmative and that was it.

By the way, I almost forgot, Dr. Niranjan had deduced from the killings that killer was following a pattern, and that pattern was inflicting pain on his victims. This he had already explained to Inspector Karan and the police higher ups. The way Rajveer died writhing in pain, Jitendra Nautiyal was strangled, stabbed and beaten to death, Yugal Kishore was burnt alive and last Gajendranath’s knee-capping and use of the blow-torch was proof enough that the killer was taking immense pleasure in inflicting pain on his intended victims and seeing them in extreme agony and suffering was his high point. This analysis also led Dr. Niranjan to probe deeply into the background of all the four victims. He attempts to find out whether they had enemies proved him correct in proving that there was someone who was exacting a kind of vengeance against these specific individuals. Also, during the course of his investigation, he found out sordid and deep hidden secrets about all four of the victims which if brought out in public might be scandalous and dangerous to the government. Somehow, Dr. Niranjan also could deduce that the killer also was privy to these dark and dirty secrets and was waiting for the opportune moment to make them public. His intention was something else already, this much the forensic psychiatrist could make out.

A few days later, two events completely changed Dr. Niranjan’s thought process that went into the investigation. The first was what the hacker had dug out the from the intended target’s phone records and also, another news that the name and address of the supplier of the poison had been found. Sanjeet, or Sanju as people used to know him was a small-time thief known to the police. But his actual profession was providing exotic services on the Dark Web for special clients. His services included providing drugs, exotic poison and animals to special clients; and also, stealing information and selling it to the highest bidder on the ‘Dark Web.’ This information was kept highly confidential and only a few people knew about this. But when time came to go and ask Sanju about the poison, they found him dead from his own poison. It was kind of poetic justice. That’s what Dr. Niranjan thought looking at Sanju’s dead corpse. Dead by the same poison which he supplied to the killer.

This made Dr. Niranjan more convinced about the theory that was formulating in his mind about a certain individual. He asked his aide to start following this guy. At first, Rajit was again surprised but he knew better to ask and started following that particular person. Meanwhile, Dr. Niranjan also had got the report from his friend and this shook him just looking at the report. He now started making some enquiries of his own and found out that the person he was enquiring about had a brilliant past. He was excellent in academia, sports, arts and culture and was a keen dramatist. He was also an expert in the art of costumes and make-up. However, there were no further records after his high school, or from the orphanage where he had spent his whole life. Dr. Niranjan had also talked to the school principal and caretaker of the orphanage, and both of them had fond memories about a certain individual. It was then he decided that it was time to pay Sameer a visit. So, the next day he and his aide went to Sameer’s house to have a personal chat. No one knew about this unofficial meeting. This Dr. Niranjan had ensured in time.

One more thing, Dr. Niranjan had done a lot of research and gathered enough material and evidence before he decided to pay Sameer a visit. Once they reached Sameer’s house, they found his wife distraught and his whole family in a highly stressed condition. When they asked to see Sameer, they were in for a surprise. Dr. Niranjan envisioned a disciplined, organized man, instead they found a drooping shabby man who had the thousand-yard stare and was very scared about something or someone. It was with utter difficulty that they could make Sameer utter something in coherence. The first thing Dr. Niranjan said “that we know what happened all those years ago.” This he could say because during his investigation of the four victims background he had come upon a hush report that indicated that something horrible had taken place 25 years ago in which all these five people were involved and which had been hushed up by the efforts of the corrupt police officer Rajveer Singh, and the dishonest politician, Gajendranath Chaudhary. Sameer looked as if he didn’t hear them properly but when Dr. Niranjan repeated, he recoiled in horror and surprise. Sensing that it was no use to escapee from his past, Sameer then recounted all the sordid details about the incident that transpired all those 25 years ago. “Now I know that what I have done is wrong and should be punished for my deeds.” Sighed Sameer. “You should have thought about it earlier on, maybe, nothing would have happened then and it would not have come to this.” Dr. Niranjan replied. “Anyways, we need your help in catching the killer.” He then outlined his plan which he had earlier discussed in length with the police higher ups. At first, they were shocked and taken aback at the revelation but they agreed to go ahead with the plan. “Such a pity, I thought this guy had a brilliant future in department” remarked S.P. Sharma, the I.G. of Police. As a safety precaution all members of Sameer’s family were transported to another location. And mind you, all of this had been done without getting Inspector Karan involved. This was a daunting task already but somehow Dr. Niranjan had managed to pull it off and his aide had reported each and every moment of the suspect he was following.

Couple of days later, when all had been planned, Sameer got a call on his phone asking him to meet at a designated spot. Sameer just asked “at what time?” this took the killer by surprise and he asked “don’t you want to know why I called you?” “No, I believe, you might have something important to tell me, that’s why you called.” “Indeed, I have information about the killer who killed your friends and, who now is after you.” It was all the killer said. Sameer had to maintain a neutral tone while talking to the killer, but he was scared from inside. Dr. Niranjan assured him that no harm will come to him but then he will have to face the consequences of his actions all those years ago. Sameer nodded in resignation and agreed.

It was completely dark and heavily raining when Sameer was instructed to go to an abandoned farmhouse just outside ‘Datia’. When Sameer reached there, at first, he could not see anyone, except the broken down, crumbling ruins of the farmhouse. As he went inside and called out “Hello, is anyone here?” He was immediately given a strong shove from behind which sent him sprawling to the ground. It was only then he could see his assailant. It was the same man dressed in all black from head to toes. It was his face which was interesting, as it was painted in pink and his eyes were glowing red as were his lips. It was a terrifying sight to behold. It seemed that some asura had come to life from the mythology to exact a revenge. Just as the killer was to strike with his baseball bat, he was manhandled from behind and a pair of strong hands grabbed him and prevented him from attacking Sameer. At the same time, all the spotlights which were carefully hidden in the area came to light all at the same time. “How are you Inspector Karan, or should I say Charan Das?” asked Dr. Niranjan. The killer was completely stunned and taken aback as was Sameer and the I.G. of Police. Everyone started inquisitorially towards Dr. Niranjan. He looked at them and said “it’s a long story, shall I begin or you would care to start Inspector Karan? By the way, Mr. Sameer does the name ring a bell?” Sameer looked blank. When nobody spoke, it was then Dr. Niranjan said “well, this story takes place 25 years ago, at a small village just outside Datia.” He continued further, “there was this tribe which was said to have descended from the mythological Asur named “Andhakasur”. This brought some kind of stirring from Karan Singh and Sameer as well. “Oh, you know Mr. Sameer and Inspector Karan?” “Let me elaborate, Andhakasur was an Asur king who was born from Lord Shivas’ sweat. For years, he did not the true purpose of his life and yearned for devi Parvati.” He paused for any reaction, when finding none he continued. “When lord Shiva found out that this Asur was yearning for Devi Parvati, he flew into a terrible rage and a terrible war ensued between the asuras and the Devas.” “Lord Shiva defeated and impaled Andhakasur on his trident and kept him suffering in pain for 1000 years before Andhakasur realized his true origin and repented. It was then lord Shiva released Andhakasur from his pain and let him achieve Moksha.” “What’s this story got to do with the present murders?” asked the I.G. “Well Sir, Andhakasur was might have been an Asura king, but he was benevolent to his people and was a great architect, provider and benefactor for his people. It was only after his salvation that his descendants started worshipping him like a god. Now, coming to the present time, 25 years ago, there was this family who were the direct descendants of Andhakasura.” This time, Dr. Niranjan looked straight into Inspector Karan’s eyes and knew that Karan knew what was coming. He continued “this family was the owner of a large tract of land which was in a prime location. At that time the village was undergoing modernization and development, so this piece of land was desired by many. It also grabbed the attention of five extremely greedy, corrupt, selfish and particularly malicious group of individuals four of whom are already are dead.” “Now are you getting my drift, Mr. Sameer?” Sameer now recognized who Inspector Karan was and it flashed in his eyes. “Yes…. you are absolutely right Mr. Sameer, Inspector Karan is the sole survivor of that night and is the son of that poor guy Harsha and Savita Das, whom you and your friends ruthlessly tortured and then burnt them alive!” “And for what! A piece of land, eh, Mr. Sameer?” The police and everyone else were completely stunned at all this. “Shall I continue Inspector Karan?” When he got no response from the glowering and furious Karan, he continued “you guys ruthlessly and mercilessly killed and slaughtered all the rest of the descendants, but you overlooked one person who was a silent witness to all of this carnage and slaughter.” “Further, with the help of corrupt and greedy Rajveer Singh and Gajendranath Chaudhary who was the MLA at the time you guys managed to hush up the matter. In this whole incident, you were helped by Jitendra Nautiyal and Yugal Kishore as well, am I right Mr. Sameer?” Sameer could not respond but just looked down in shame and self-pity. “There was this young boy who witnessed the murder of his family and his people silently. He somehow managed to escape and take refuge in an orphanage. From that moment on, this young boy vowed vengeance, and he endured. He started on a career that could give him power to expose all of you and also exact his vengeance.” “Correct me If I am wrong Inspector Karan.” Karan just glowered at him. “This boy, Charan Das is Inspector Karan and it took him 25 years of long wait to collect information about all the dark and dirty deeds on all five of you and also he was waiting for the opportune time to strike.”

The atmosphere was buzzing with high tension and suspense. The rain had also stopped. “How did you deduce all of this?” the I.G. asked.

“Well, I felt something odd about Inspector Karan from the moment I laid my eyes on him. Then my doubts began to be converted into suspicions when I saw him handling the case.” “I also felt suspicious about the way he looked at his mobile constantly, when asked he gave a vague answer that he needed to be abreast of the time, isn’t it Karan, or Charan Das, if I may?” He again looked at Karan Singh but got no response. “Why did he check his mobile so much?” someone asked.

“That’s a good question, I even pondered about it when it hit me. It was nor the time he was checking, rather it was the CCTV camera footage he was checking which he installed surreptitiously at each of the victims’ houses.” Everyone was taken aback at this. “That’s right, that is how he used to know where each of his victim was at the precise moment, and this gave him the opportunity to strike.” “This is why all of the murders were committed after Inspector Karan, or Charan Ds went off-duty. Well, I have covered all the details, however, one thing I could not understand, why kill the receptionist of Gajendranath or Sanju, I mean both of them had nothing to do with this, right?” This time he expected a response from Karan.

Accordingly, Karan complied “well done Dr. Niranjan, this was a brilliant deduction and I have no regrets on this account. For years, I have suffered in the same agony, the same pain and same suffering which my family and people had to undergo at the hands of these vicious monsters.” He replied. When no one responded, he continued “is it wrong being a descendant of Asuras? Do Asura descendants have no right to exist, have they had to face the same fate as their ancestors like in the mythologies where asuras were just branded as the bad guys?” “Noone sees the good and benevolent things Ravana, Mahishasura, Kali, Bhasmasura and rest of the Asura race did for their people?

“How fair is it to brand them as villains when even for someone like Indra, Varuna, Agni and Vayu were also asuras for a short period of time. Why aren’t they branded as the bad guys?” He looked at the people but no one had any answer. “Why a peace-loving, minding their own business group of people should fall victim to man’s insatiable lust, greed and desire for more power?” He asked everyone, still there was no answer. “Yes, I killed all of them, I waited for my opportunity, collected information on them. Did you know that Jitendra Nautiyal was selling classified technology to criminals and terrorists, or that Yugal Kishore was peddling sensitive information to the enemies of this great nation, or even Gajendranath Chaudhary, who had his whole dirty soul immersed in every dirty, anti-national activity anyone can think of?” “Well, I did all of you a favour, I got rid of all of this scum, these traitors and anti-nationals who were more a damage to this great country if they kept on living?” “Ha! What do I get, I am branded as a murderer, and I am sorry that the receptionist had to die, he was collateral damage, but Sanju deserved to die, as I knew, that he would prove to become a liability someday and the police would catch up to him someday or the other, what I didn’t expect was that they would catch up to him sooner than later, all thanks to you Dr. Niranjan.” He concluded. He further added “I have no regret for what I have done to these people, my only regret would be that I could not exact my vengeance on this miserable scum.” With that he bowed his head deep in sorrow.

“Take him away” The I.G. ordered Karan was immediately led away. “Take this scum away also before I kill him personally.” Dr. Niranjan bristled. It was then Sameer was formally arrested and charged with heinous crime of murder and hiding evidence from the law all these years, and also helping rest of the people. When the I.G. thanked him profusely, Dr. Niranjan said “don’t thank me, it was just pure co-incidence that we found Inspector Karan’s ring at the scene of Gajendranath’s murder and it was also pure luck that by hacking into his phone we got to know about the poison, Sanju and the sordid details about these people.” “By the way, Karan, alias Charan Das was absolutely right in saying what he said. We have been always prejudiced against a particular group of people because of their origin and ancestral lineage, don’t you think that needs to change now?” The I.G. just nodded and went on his way. Dr. Niranjan and his aide were the only people left there. “What are you thinking now Sir?” Niranjan looked at him and said “what Karan said is absolutely right and if we don’t change there will be more Andhakasuras, and they will be more vicious and dangerous than this Andhakasur.” With that they left the farmhouse.

The End

Copyright@Rahul Banerjee