The Day The State Split Asunder - 37

Clad in civil clothing, Sub-Inspector Imtiaz along with two constables gathered in the modest meeting room comprising one small round table with two wooden chairs. Imtiaz occupied one chair while the two constables stood behind him. 

He along with the other two constables were back to the station after three days of official investigative visit to various districts, concerning Suresh's murder case.

Dressed in his Khaki uniform, Arjun walked into the room and sat opposite, facing Imtiaz and the other two constables.

"Imtiaz, any clue which can confirm Suresh's association with those medical stores?" Arjun asked.

"Sir, we visited every store. Unfortunately, none of them know him," Imtiaz's tone was disappointing.

"Something is wrong in these stores. But, what can it be?" Arjun slammed his palm on the desk in exasperation. "Can you give me the count of the stores?"

Imtiaz picked up the notepad and navigated to the last page. "It is 126, sir. Maybe it could be more."

"Give me the exact number!"

"Sir, after writing the names and addresses of 126 stores, there's no space left in the notepad, it's just a random guess," Imtiaz pushed the spiral notepad towards Arjun.

Arjun scanned the notepad from first till last. "Good observation!" Arjun appreciated him and threw the notepad on the desk, "then what could..." he stopped at once and shifted fingers on to his forehead. The excruciating headache was back.

"What happened, sir? Are you alright?" asked Imtiaz.

Arjun closed his eyes and began rubbing his forehead, "Nothing, just a headache!"

"Sir, better go home and take rest."

"The commissioner will be visiting us ‌today. I have to be in the station."

"Then better take medicine, sir," Imtiaz turned back and requested the constable behind him to get medicine for Arjun.

"Imtiaz, let's start from the beginning," Arjun continued, trying hard to refocus on the case despite the hammering headache, "the murder took place on December 2nd. We couldn't recover any mobile on the spot. But based on the number given by the secretary of the apartment we took the call data, and based upon it we met Radha-Krishna, owner of HBN-7 News Channel and Mallesh, the driver of Godavac Life Sciences Owner. Correct me if I missed any point?"

"Sir, you've covered most of the things, except the pen drive, and the video footage inside it. And, Mallesh confessed that it was Dhyaneshwar's son Rajath, present in the video along with a foreigner."

"Ah! Yes. The most important one. Mallesh reported Dhyaneshwar movements to Suresh, and he got paid for it. One thing we could confirm is Suresh was spying on Dhyaneshwar and his son. But why? We still don't have an answer for it."

"Sir, why don't we ‌meet Rajath?" Inspector Imtiaz said.

"Where's the evidence that Rajath had murdered Suresh? Imtiaz, we need to be extremely careful while dealing with big shots."

Arjun and Imtiaz fell silent, speculating on the next course of action to be taken. A constable walked in and kept the strip of tablet in front of Arjun. Arjun picked it up and gazed at the name on the strip. 

"Matrolac! I never listened to this name," Arjun asked the constable.

"Sir, I asked for Saridon, but the medical shop guy said it's not available, so he gave this to me," the constable replied.

Arjun flipped the strip backwards to have a look at the manufacturer's name. He saw the name Godavac Life Sciences Ltd, printed in blue ink. Something struck him. He looked up at Imtiaz.

"Imtiaz, what kinda illegitimate practices can happen in medical stores?"

"Fake medicines, and counterfeit drugs."

"Imtiaz, out of 126 stores, how many are present in Hyderabad?"

"Five, sir, and they are not in the city but on the outskirts."

"Do one thing," Arjun took a pen and paper on the desk and wrote the names of a few medicines, "get these medicines from the stores. If they say they don't have it bring whatever they give and don't let them know that you are a police. Be careful!" 

"Sure sir, but what is the matter? What are we going to do?"

"Imtiaz, get me the medicines, I will tell you everything, once you're back."

Imtiaz and Arjun walked out of the meeting room. Arjun cut towards his cabin while Imtiaz walked out of the station. 

Fifteen minutes later, while Arjun was busy referring a file, the head constable approached his desk.

"Sir, the owner of HBN-7 Channel, Radha-Krishna wants to meet you," the constable said.

"Radha-Krishna!" Arjun said in surprise, "send him inside!"

Seconds later, the door opened and Radha-Krishna entered. 

"Good afternoon, Sir!" Radha-Krishna greeted Arjun with a gentle smile on his face. 

Arjun stood up and shook hands with him. "A very good afternoon sir, please take your chair." 

Arjun and Radha-Krishna sank in their seats.

"So, what pulled you here to this station? Your office is in Banjara Hills, not in our jurisdiction," Arjun said.

"Sir, I have to tell you something important, anent Suresh."

"Suresh! Which Suresh are you referring to? The rapist Suresh?"

"No, Sir!"

"No? Then, is it spirit Suresh, the leader of the liquor mafia?"

"Inspector, will you give me the chance to speak or not! I am referring to journalist Suresh Bhadri," Radha-Krishna said, exhaling a sigh of impatience.

Arjun leaned forward, placing both his elbows on the table. "Last week when I came to your office and asked regarding Suresh, you washed your hands off the matter. Anyways push those things aside, tell me what you wanted to say?"

"Sir, the day before his murder, Suresh called me saying that he found shocking news on Dhyaneshwar and his son Rajath."

"Dhyaneshwar means the owner of Godavac Life Sciences only or some other?"

"Same sir! But before he could tell me that shocking news, he was no more. But, I am doubtful about Dhyaneshwar and his son Rajath. I believe they have murdered him."

"Mr. Radha Krishna, it's not a doubt, but an accusation. On what basis are you accusing them? Do you have any evidence?"

"Sir, I heard that Dhyaneshwar was one of the prime suspect in the murder of social rights activist and Andhra Velugu magazine column writer, Akella Raghavendra."

"Who is this Akella Raghavendra and when he got killed? Can you tell me the entire story? Did Suresh work with him?" Arjun insisted.

"Sir, Raghavendra died years ago, and he has no relationship with Suresh. I am not aware of the entire story, but I have one person in my mind who can give you the complete information."

"Another person! Who is that?"

"Satyanarayana Goswami alias Swamiji"

"Swamiji? Does he stay in Hyderabad or Himalayas?"

Radha-Krishna smiled at Arjun's humor. "In Hyderabad only, sir. Don't get carried away by the name." 

"It's okay, and what is your relationship with Swamiji?"

"He is a former journalist, and I was one of his students. Raghavendra and he are best friends."

"Mr. Radha-Krishna, why didn't you tell me these things before and why are you saying it now? I believe you didn't come here on your own, someone might have pushed you."

Arjun's sagacity astonished Radha-Krishna. As a matter of fact, it was Swamiji who pushed Radha to meet Arjun. 

"Sir, the sudden turnout of the events scared the daylights out of me. I didn't understand what to do. But today I gathered courage to open up, and I've said whatever I know and I have nothing more to discuss," Radha-Krishna said, trying not to display any hint of nervousness.

"Can you give me the contact and the address of this journalist Swamiji?" Arjun picked a paper and pen on his desk and gave it to him.

Radha-Krishna wrote Swamiji's location and contact number on the paper. He then stood up from his chair, and said, "Well, Sir, I am leaving now!"

Arjun stood up and shook hands with Radha-Krishna, "Thanks for your cooperation, sir. Please do support us until we catch the criminal!"

"Sure, sir!" Radha-Krishna said. Seconds later, he walked out and climbed into his white BMW X5 car. The driver started the engine and with gentle dexterity pulled the vehicle on to the main road. 

After passing one kilometre Radha-Krishna took out his mobile and dialled Swamiji's number. Swamiji answered his call in one ring.

Swamiji: Hello Radha, did you meet the inspector?

Radha: Yes, sir. I just followed whatever you said. But why can't we tell him the entire story. We should have told everything that Suresh saw at the institute of mental sciences.

Swamiji: We should never trust a police officer. And don't think too much. Sometimes good things come when you least expect it. You've done your part, just relax and take care of yourself and Shanthi. Leave everything to me.

Radha: Ok Sir! 

On the other side, the police commissioner P V Anand, IPS, arrived at the Madhapur Police Station for inspection. He looked tall, just an inch more than Arjun's height. Despite being aged above fifty, his athletic lifestyle made him look younger. He examined the records and appreciated Arjun and the staff for solving the most number of cases.

Later, Arjun explained to the commissioner on the journalist Suresh's murder case right from the beginning until Radha-Krishna's visit.

"Arjun, I don't understand one thing, you're a greyhounds commando and pioneered many operations against Maoists. You know how important time is? Tell me, why haven't you approached Rajath?" The commissioner said.

"Sir, we don't have any evidence against Rajath. And moreover, he is one of the most renowned business men in the state. We can't take chances."

"Still, let's fire a shot in the dark. Meet Rajath and inquire about Suresh. But be careful while talking. Don't get aggressive."

"Sure, sir. I will meet him today," and the conversation drifted into other pending cases. 

Together they discussed for fifteen minutes and afterwards, the commissioner left the station.

An hour later, when Arjun was sipping his elaichi tea, Inspector Imtiaz arrived and straightaway approached Arjun's desk. He placed a blue polythene cover bag on the desk and eased out the contents from it. 

"Sir, none of them have the medicines you asked for," Imtiaz picked up a medicine, "You asked for Coldact, but he gave me Colderine, for Saridon he gave Matrolac, for Paracetamol he gave me this OLOP-650. And this is not from a single store but from all five and everyone gave me the same type," Imtiaz said.

"Have a look at the name of the manufacturer," said Arjun.

"Strange!" Imtiaz exclaimed in surprise after checking the label of the medicines, "Godavac Life Sciences Ltd manufactured it. I don't understand what's going on? All these medicines are manufactured by them."

"It's simple. They are trying to monopolize the market."

"I didn't understand, sir."

"Imtiaz, Let's say you're running a chocolate factory with name 'A' in a certain town and you even have a competitor with name 'B'. What if the general stores in the town stop selling the chocolates manufactured by the company 'B'?"

"People will purchase my company chocolates only."

"When will the store owners do that?"

"If they get a good margin by selling my chocolates and stop selling B company chocolates. "

"Exactly! The same is the case here. On average, around five hundred people visit medical stores. Of those five hundred over three hundred people usually purchase medicines for Headache, fever, cold, cough, and other common ailments with no prescription."

"Now, I got it, sir. It means these medical stores make good profitable margins by selling medicines sold by Godavac Pharma. It means a secret deal between the company and the medical stores."

"Exactly! If you don't keep the stocks of other manufacturer's medicines, then people have to buy their medicines only. I am sure, there's something wrong with this Godavac Life Sciences."

Arjun later explained to Imtiaz the discussion he had with Radha-Krishna and the commissioner.

"So, Let's meet Rajath without any delay!" Arjun said after he completed his narration.

"Yes, sir," Imtiaz said.

They both walked out and got into the vehicle. Imtiaz sat in the driving seat. On the way, Arjun removed his khaki shirt and put on the plain white shirt to prevent unwanted attention from people in the office.

Driving through the wild traffic for an hour, they reached the Godavac Life Sciences office in Begumpet. Imtiaz parked the vehicle in the cellar of the building. 

The security personnel stopped them at the entrance. Arjun and Imtiaz displayed their police identity cards. The security guards escorted them to the reception desk.

The building looked amazing with pearl white Italian marble flooring and a centralized air conditioning system. The walls were adorned with beautiful paintings and patterns. 

Imtiaz requested the receptionist to meet Rajath. Arjun sat on the couch near the desk. 

"Sir, I will escort you to Rajath sir's cabin. You can follow me," the receptionist said to Imtiaz and Arjun.

They both followed him. They took the elevator to the fifth floor. As they emerged out there'a narrow corridor to one end with a sign showing the Director's cabin. The clusters of cubicles were opposed to it. The door of the director cannot be opened without a valid access card. 

The receptionist swiped the card, let them into the cabin, and went back to his place on the ground floor.

Rajath glanced at Imtiaz and Rajath as they stepped in.

"Good afternoon sir, myself, Inspector Arjun and this is inspector Imtiaz."

Rajath stood up and shook hands with both of them and asked them to be seated on the chair.

Just a couple of months over thirty, Rajath was a tall man with a height of under six feet. He is blessed with godlike physical charms - swarthy features, well-proportioned limbs, toned muscles, an unblemished complexion, and wavy hair. He grew a french style beard which looked intimidating.

"What can I do for you?" Rajath said, turning his eyes from Arjun to Imtiaz.

"Mr.Rajath, on December 2nd, a journalist named Suresh, who works for HBN-7 Channel was found dead in his home at Madhapur," Arjun said.

"Suresh? Who is this Suresh? And why are you telling me all these things? It seems like you came to the wrong place."

Imtiaz took out his mobile, opened the video in his gallery, and put it in front of Rajath. 

"We found this video footage in his pen-drive, and we could see you in the footage," said Imtiaz.

Arjun was staring at Rajath to gauge his expressions. 

While Rajath was staring intently at the video, beads of sweat started getting surfaced on his brow and his pupils dilated. When the video completed he forced a lump through his throat but once again resumed his normal composure.

"Do you want to speak anything about this footage, sir? Since there's no audio we don't know what the conversation is all about."

"Recently we signed an MOU with US-based Galaxy Life Sciences and Solutions for research on anti-depressants. And the person beside me was Daniel Thomas, president of that company. Is this Suresh carrying out any espionage against our company?"

"The investigation is still going on Mr. Rajath. The facts will be out soon. Can you let us know where you were on December 2nd?" Arjun asked.

"Are you suspecting me?" Rajath's voice became stern.

"Mr.Rajath, this is just a part of the investigation. Unless you don't cooperate how can we know what kind of espionage did Suresh carry out on your company."

"December 2nd, I was in my home."

"Where do you stay?"

"Banjara hills."

"So, you don't know anything about Suresh?"

"Yes! And I confirm it once again."

"Thanks, Mr.Rajath for your time and cooperation," Arjun said.

"I will give you the access, inspector " Rajath picked up the access card on his desk, walked around, and approached the door. 

Imtiaz and Arjun walked out of the room. Rajath held the door open until they passed. As soon as they stepped out he closed it, leaned back against the door, took a deep breath and tottered towards the window, pushed the curtain aside, and looked at the ground below. 

In a minute he saw a white Toyota Qualis police vehicle emerging out from the company gate. The vehicle turned right heading towards the main road slowly increasing its speed and finally disappeared from his view. 

"Shall I inform Dad? I think it's not required. I can handle it on my own!" Rajath thought.

"Imtiaz, when you were showing him the video, he looked so tense, he is definitely connected with Suresh but he is not ready to accept, " Arjun said to Imtiaz. 

Their vehicle stopped in the front row as the traffic light was red.

Imtiaz pushed the hand-brake lever, and said, "Yes, sir. I too observed it. I think he is somewhere connected to Suresh"

"Let us track his movements. I need this Rajath's call data on my desk by tomorrow."

The signal light changed from red to green.

"And, what about these medical stores, sir? It is an economic crime and the enforcement directorate can take severe action against them," Imtiaz released the hand brake and pressed the accelerator pedal gently.

"But we need proof, which we don't have in our hands right now. If we can identify what shocking news did Suresh discovered about Dhyaneshwar and Rajath, the picture gets much clearer."

To be continued...