The Day The State Split Asunder - 40

P V Anand joined the Indian Police Service cadre in 1989. He held several sensitive posts like Superintendent of Police, Group Commander-Operations of Greyhounds, DCP of Hyderabad and DIG and Special Inspector General of Intelligence. He holds a Master's degree in Botany from the University of Rajasthan and a post-graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management from LIBA in Chennai. He has been trained abroad in hostage negotiation. Despite being in the late fifties he looked fit and active with no signs of ageing and the hair on his head was still jet black.

He was in a meeting with senior officials and Arjun was waiting outside to meet him. After two hours finally, Anand called him into his office, a lofty room in which ten members can sit together and have a discussion. 

Arjun saluted his commissioner as he neared the desk. 'Good evening sir.'

'Good evening Arjun and I am sorry to keep you waiting,' Anand said with a smile. 'You know the situation in our state and why are you standing? Take your seat.'

Arjun sat on his chair. 'Sir, actually I came here to discuss a murder case.'

'Please go ahead.'

'Sir, a week ago, one of the journalists working for the HBN-7 channel was found dead at his flat in Madhapur.'

Anand leaned forward, placing both the elbows on the desk. 'What is the cause?'

'His throat was slit and the only evidence we could find was a wristwatch which we believe belongs to the murderer...' and he narrated the series of investigations carried out in the apartment.

'So, you think that the owner of a Jaguar car might have done it.'

'It's only just an assumption sir.'

'Good job so far! But don't confine yourself to only finding the owner of the car or watch. Proceed with call data analysis. Enquire each and every person that he had contacted. The murderer can be one among those. Oftentimes the criminal will be roaming right in front of us.'

 'Imtiaz is already working on getting the identity of the callers. Once it is done we will contact them one after the other.'

'Keep me updated.'