NH 948

Note: This story is based on Author's fiction. It does not have any historical and real-life references. This is the second instalment in the "National highway series." When you finish reading this story, you will realize you should never trust anyone completely, be it online or in person. What the killers did to the 18-year-old girl is truly disgusting. The trauma this girl went through is unimaginable.

FEBRUARY 20, 2017

ANNUR

7:00 PM

At 7:00 PM, in the evening some people were hiking in "Annur-Sirumugai Road." There they notice smoke coming from Ganeshapuram Bridge.

"Brother. Come. Let's go and check what's there in that place." When they go to check, they find a burned human body.

"Hello police station!" One of the men immediately called the police in his phone. The cops under ACP(Assistant Commissioner of Police) Sri Krishna's head immediately arrived to the bridge site. But the body is burned beyond recognition. After checking with some dental records, the body is confirmed to be of an 18-year old girl named Sowmiya. Sowmiya's family is heartbroken.   

After getting the report from post-mortem team, Inspector Sri Krishna was puzzled while reading the girl's report.

"What kind of enemies would this girl have? Who have killed her so gruesomely?" ACP Sri Krishna had some thoughts in his mind. The girl's dead body is given to Sowmiya's parents Lakshminathan and Durga after performing the autopsy. Her parents are residing in SIDCO Industrial Estate. It's one of the branch office for businessmen in Kurichi(Coimbatore district).

A few days after the funeral of Sowmiya, Inspector Sri Krishna visits their house to start his investigation quickly with the help of his police team.

. He is wearing ordinary dress. Visiting their house, he leaves his slippers outside. Sowmiya's father looks disgusting. He is sad with a few sign of depression in his face. Looking at him, he said: "Come in sir."

"Sir. Coffee or tea?" asked Sowmiya's mother Durga to which, Krishna replied: "No need mam. I have just now had my breakfast." Turning to Lakshminathan, Krishna said: "Sir. I have actually came forward to investigate the death of your daughter. May I know about her a little more?"

Lakshminathan takes him to the backyard of their house where, Krishna comes across several pet dogs and animals. Surprised, he asked him: "Sir. What's this sir?"

Smiling he said, "These are all animals. Sowmi loved animals since she was a kid. There are many pet animals here. She loved being with her pets rather than kids at her own age." Krishna gave a look to Lakshminathan. While, he continued to say: "Mainly, she liked cats so she used to wear caps with cats on them to school. Therefore, she was often bullied at school. This happened even at her high school."

Thinking for sometime, Sri Krishna asked him: "Sir. Then why didn't you think about changing her school?"

"We made a big mistake here only sir." Durga said in tears. She further said: "We changed her school due to the bullying, thinking teachers there will pay special attention to her. But the problem is, these alternative schools also have a lot of troubled students with them who had been expelled from other schools. Sowmiya must study with these students now."

"Does she had any close friends from this alternative school madam?"

Thinking for a while, Lakshminathan replied: "Sir. There are two friends for Sowmiya. One's name is…Joseph Kruse…then…the other guy's name starts with…Ha. John Aravinth sir." Krishna thanked them for their co-operation. When going along with his fellow police Inspector Sagayam, he said: "Sagayam. Kindly investigate Joseph Kruse and John Aravinth. I have some important work to carry on." He gives the two guy's photo(collected from Sowmiya's parents) before starting off his bike.

Krishna goes to his house in Sirumugai. Opening his house door, he shouted: "Why are you calling me repeatedly Priyanka? Don't you know that I am handling an important case?"

Keeping the fish at the table, she replied: "Hey Inspector. It's important to take care of your family also." Sri Krishna goes near to Priyanka and holds her hip. Leaning her neck, he asked: "Why? Didn't I take care of my lover Priyanka? Am I that busy?"

Feeling shy, Priyanka gave little laughter and said: "Hey. Our marriage have not happened yet. Please leave me."

"Why should I leave my lover? I would hold her gaze." Giving some evoke of laughter, she pushed him funnily and smiled at him. As Krishna came near to her, Priyanka said: "Hey. Don't come near me." She laughed. However, he gave a romantic look and stripped off her sari.

As she looked at him, he kissed her lips passionately. Holding her gaze, he kissed her abdomen, breast, chest and cheeks respectively. Priyanka removed his shirts by taking her own time. They had sex after becoming naked. The duo slept with the help of a blanket.

Hugging Krishna, Priyanka asked him: "Hey Krishna. You love me this much mad. Then, why didn't you propose when we met for the first time?"

Looking at her, he tailed his finger around her hair. Then, Krish said: "Because, I need you like a heart needs a beat." She smiled and said: "Krishna. You know? If I had a flower for every time I thought of you…I could walk through my garden forever." A few hours later, Sagayam called him and said: "Sir. I got the details about those two guys."

"Okay Sagayam. Let's meet and discuss about this in our police station." After informing to Priyanka, he proceeds to his Annur Police Station. There, he asked Sagayam: "Any details Sagayam?"

Blinking at him, he said: "Sir. I…I don't know how to start about those guys."

"Tell me without hesitating sir. Am I going to bite you as you say something so preachy?" Sagayam started to tell about those guys.

"Sir. Joseph Kruse had broken the noses of students at his previous school." Showing another photo from the previous school's CCTV footages, he said: "He had broken the head of another student using a chain."

"What about his family and parents?"

Inspector Sagayam said: "Sir. Kruse lived with his mother in Sirumugai. His father went to prison when Kruse was 7 years old for the rape and murder of a 16-year old girl. The teachers described Kruse as 'Anti-Female.'"

"Anti-female?" asked Krishna to which, Sagayam said: "Yes sir. He used to express some hostility and discrimination towards female. Also, Kruse has even hit his own mother twice."

They breaks into silence for a while. Now, Krishna continued asking him: "Ok. What about John Aravinth?"

"John Aravinth is Kruse's close friend. He has been with Kruse since 5th grade sir. Both had bunked school when they were ten-years old and had consumed cigarettes and alcohol. This later changed to drugs. Aravinth was worse than Kruse."

"What do you mean sir?" Krishna asked in a bitter voice to which, Sagayam replied: "He had pushed other children at kindergarten and was suspended twice during middle school. He had also been violent with his sister and his pet dog at home."

"How do they know Sowmiya?"

"Sir. John Aravinth(16-year old), Kruse(18-year old) and Sowmiya(18-year old) began to roam together as a group. Other than this, I am unable to find out any other information from the school management sir. Since, the correspondent is known to a political family."

Krishna resists and proceeds to investigate Kruse and John Aravinth in their house about Sowmiya. Both of them are investigated separately with various questions. They said the same answers: "Sir. Sowmiya began to like a boy named Nithish from our group. But for some unknown reasons, that boy suddenly broke up with her. Other than that, I doesn't know anything. Since we got our public exams in March, we didn't have much time to interact with her and our friends."

When interrogating the guys, Krishna is continually called by Priyanka. Putting the phone in silent mode, he hanged off the call. Now, he proceeds to investigate Nithish in his hostel with the permission of the School correspondent. Nithish said: "Sir. I didn't meet Sowmiya after breakup. Additionally, I was busy with my own studies and schedules."

"So, you didn't meet her right?" asked Krishna to which, Nithish nods his head. He said to him: "Kruse and John Aravinth mocked me about our breakup. It was Sowmiya, who said about this in online. Since then, this worsened."

"Did you meet her before she died?" Nithish initially stares at him in vexation. Later, he said: "Sir. I didn't meet her. However, I saw her going with Kruse and John Aravinth."

Krishna asked him to come again and repeat that statement. Nithish said: "Sir. I usually spend a lot of time in Library after the class hours around one hour. Recently, our Central Government revoked Kashmir special constitution. Also, Article 370 was removed after some long time. I was curious to know about the back story. However no one was ready to explain me about this in the library. So, I came down disgusted and angry. At that time, I noticed Sowmiya going with Kruse in their bike. I suspected something wrong. Yet, I didn't get hold of it and came back to my room."

Krishna came back to his office, where Priyanka is sitting angrily. He consoled her explaining about his crucial position of investigating Sowmiya Murder case. She said about her pregnancy. Hearing this, Krish is shocked. He assures and promised to marry her, once this case is solved.

Priyanka said: "Hey Krishna. What's this da? I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope and every dream I have ever had. So, I would be waiting for you. Bye." 

While, he goes along with Sagayam to investigate Kruse and John Aravinth, who are playing a video game called "World of Warcraft." There, Sagayam puts a handcuff in both of their hands and takes the guys under custody in prison despite their protests.

There, Krishna said: "Kruse. It's better if you confess what happened that day, when you took Sowmiya in bike." Kruse and John pleads about their innocence. However, Sagayam shows a record of CCTV footage, which has them taking Sowmiya in their bike.

Krishna shows another copy of evidence to Kruse. Holding their hands tight, he said them: "While investigating about Sowmiya's murder yesterday, we came across World of Warcraft, which you both are playing now. We checked it's 1.4 billion pages of data transcripts of the online chats."

"Correct sir. It gave us a clue about these guys. Am I right boys?" Sagayam joked. Left with no more way to escape, the guys finally decides to confess what happened.

JANUARY 31, 2017 TO FEBRUARY 19, 2O17

After Sowmiya told Kruse and John about her breakup through online chats, they immediately begins to flick with her. Kruse had twice dated Sowmiya but things did not move forward. With the dates unsuccessful, Kruse vows to get revenge against Sowmiya. Since Kruse and John Aravinth were childhood friends, they had watched aggressive adult videos together and discussed how it would feel to do the same in real life.

On February 19, 2017, Kruse texted Sowmiya asking if she was free the next day. He asked if they could go on another date if she was free. When Sowmiya refused, Kruse calls her. Kruse secretly adds John Aravinth on a con-call while talking with her for one hour. So he overhears everything and Sowmiya finally agrees. Meanwhile, Kruse and John Aravinth secretly text each other. Kruse wrote there: "I want to pluck her nose ring and throw it in a fire."

Cameron replied, "Let's tie her up and abuse her."

Kruse replied, "Yes, I have planned that too. Let's do all those things to her which we had planned." All this was done while Sowmiya was on the phone with Kruse. Sowmiya had been talking casually, obvious to this plan.

PRESENT

Sagayam was extremely shocked upon hearing the guy's cruelty. While, Krishna, who hardly had emotions in his face asked them: "What happened when she came with you in bike?" He asked him to confess

The guys laughed. John sat relaxed and told the officers: "Sir. You and the inspector will not have the guts to hear the entire story. That much disgusting were our actions."

Supporting his point, Kruse stated: "The truth doesn't come in portions sir. We are telling you the truth. I am just not telling you every single little thing that happened down to the tiniest grain of detail."

"Mm…hmm" said the officers.

FEBRUARY 20, 2017

The next day, February 20, 2017, Sowmiya's parents had a lot of good moments for her. They were happy Sowmiya is sooner graduating high school. They were also excited when Sowmiya wished to join an animal farm as a volunteer. That morning, her mom kisses her and tells her, "I want to see you in the graduation dress when I come home in the evening."

Then, at 4:30 PM, in the evening, Sowmiya meets Kruse at the school's exit. At that time, John Aravinth enters a petrol bunk to purchase diesel. Kruse tells Sowmiya, "My house is nearby NH 948(Bangalore-Coimbatore Highway) in Sirumugai. Let's go there." Both begin to walk towards his house via the "Annur-Sirumugai route." John Aravinth joins them on the way. Sowmiya thought that this was another group meet up so she confidently walks inside the house.  

To make sure Sowmiya does not know their plans, Kruse and John Aravinth use a code word. The code word is for confirming when to attack her.

"I think I am going to make some KD" are the words that if either boy speaks. It means they have to attack Sowmiya. As soon as they enter the house, they attack her.

Sowmiya is bound and gagged. She is then beaten and raped many times. They start doing all those things that they wished to do. Then finally they put her inside the freezer. Now, Kruse opens his laptop and sends a text to Swomiya.

"What happened? Where are you, Sowmiya? You said we'll meet up? Where are you?" This is to fake his innocence by creating an alibi when police start to investigate the case. Look at his criminal mind!

Sending his text, other users in the online chat begin to message Kruse. But, Kruse did not reply to anyone since he was busy torturing Sowmiya. The only text he sends: "Sorry, the freezer is jumping!" That's why he says he was not able to reply. At that time, Sowmiya suffocates inside the freezer…and dies!"

It is confirmed she died by suffocation by the autopsy report, which was collected by Sri Krishna at the beginning. Meanwhile the next day, Kruse and John Aravinth stuff her corpse inside a hockey bag and board a bus to "Ganeshapuram Bridge." There, they entered downside the bridge where they keep the bag and use the camping fuel John bought to burn the body. There, Kruse sends a text from his phone unknown to the fact that this was going to get him caught.

Then both of them come home and spend time with their parents. John goes to dinner with his mother and grandmother and they buy him a video game after dinner thinking he is an "innocent child." They thought their kid was busy playing video games. Kruse began to date another girl that day.

Meanwhile, Sowmiya's parents begin to search for her, worried. That's when the hikers find Sowmiya's body and inform the police. It is confirmed to be Sowmiya through her dental records.

PRESENT

Hearing the way these guys handled the situation, Krishna opened up how the police acted smart to catch them red-handed. John and Kruse listened to him alongside Sagayam, who smoked a cigar.

Five days after the murder, Kruse tells his online girlfriend, "I need to tell you something please come to the chat room." There he tells her the whole story. Fearing that normal chats could be traced by the police, he uses the chat room of the online game, "World of War Craft."

The girl is silent for sometime but later tells him that she would support him. She then asks, "Do you feel for your mistake?"

Kruse replied, "I don't care about her" and started talking something else. When people in school start talking about Sowmiya, Kruse got angry and shouted "It's a good thing she died. I hated her." Seeing this, Nithish begins to suspect the acts of Kruse. decides to keep him under check without his knowledge.

Kruse texts John Aravinth, "Why hasn't the police caught us? I never thought this would be so easy. Just like we killed that pimp let's try this with someone else." But Krishna and his team were secretly monitoring them. They had bugged the phone in Kruse and John Aravinth's houses when Nithish revealed his suspicions about them to Krishna. They also had their online activities, online chats, online searches and old online text and started retrieving it. In total 1.4 billion pages of data were collected for evidence.

JUNE 18, 2017

Kruse and John Aravinth were finally arrested by Krishna on June 18, 2017. Surprisingly, both boys were very calm. John Aravinth is punished as an adult along with Kruse although he is a major. One year after the murder, Madras High Court awards them a 10-year prison sentence without parole.

But, Sowmiya's parents think this sentence was not enough for them. They wanted the boys to die the same way their daughter died. But India does not have death penalty. During her statement to the media, she said that: "The boys are not human beings, rather they are animals. No, not even animals since she like animals. Both of them are monsters! They deserve to die. If they come out after 10 years on parole they might attack someone else. Will they be able to return my daughter after 10 years?"

Krishna feels sad upon hearing her pains and sufferings. Yet, he consoled her and proceeds to meet a 5-months pregnant Priyanka. Since both of them are orphans and grew together in an asylum, they doesn't need anybody's consent. With the presence of friends and fellow cops, the couples married.

FOUR YEARS LATER

JULY 15, 2021

Four years later, Krishna and Priyanka goes along with their four-year old daughter to visit the graveyard of Sowmiya. There, he sees Nithish and Sowmiya's parents praying at her graveyard. Even her pet dogs and cats are present in that place. They have some drops of tears and emotions due to Sowmiya's death.

Nithish is now a second-year college student in PSG College of Arts and Science. He became talented in writing stories and poems during the Covid-19 lockdown. After some talks with Sowmiya's parents, Krishna wants to talk with Nithish personally. He said: "Nithish. How's your college life?"

"Everything is going fine sir. But, I still regret that I failed to save Sowmiya. I still recount some of our memorable moments." Further Nithish said that, "He and his parents are showering more love to the pet dogs and cats, which Sowmiya used to do in her house." After the conversation, Krishna gives him a book depicting about "1990 Kashmiri Pandits genocide." He tells him: "Nithish. You wanted to explore the reasons for revoking Kashmir special constitution and removal of Article 370 right! Kindly read this book. You will know the exact reasons. All the best. Let's meet again if time permits."

While going back to his house, Inspector Sagayam contacts him to tell an important news, which made him puzzled. He subsequently stopped the car. Upon seeing this, she asked him: "Darling. What happened?"

Hesitating for a while, Krishna replied: "Priyanka. Today, Kruse applied for Parole. But the court denied it within 10 minutes."  

"But he can still reapply after five years. So, what is the final verdict for Sowmiya's pains and sufferings? Is this called Justice?" Priyanka is unable to answer his questions.

Krishna proceeds to drive the car as his daughter requests him to reach the house quickly.

"Sowmiya's corpse National Highway 948 have completely changed my journey in the police department. With her death, our police department introduced Savior app to safeguard women." Krishna said to himself in his mind, while driving the car.

EPILOGUE

One thing can be clearly understood. You can never know if someone talking to you hold good intentions or not. We should always be cautious. The fact that Kruse's father was in jail for the rape and murder of a 16-year old girl deeply affected Kruse. So parents should be careful while raising their children. John Aravinth's parents bought him games but failed to see what he actually did. If parents don't mind their child disaster happens…May your soul rest in peace Sowmiya.😥😪