It was a Sunday. When I returned after
a walk at 8am, I saw many cars parked on the road and inside our complex.
Something wrong, I wondered. People were seen standing in small clusters
talking in hushed tone.
Dhonu, our security, on seeing me
approached quickly and whispered in Hindi,” Tanwar Saheb died last night.”
“How come? I saw him last evening and
he was looking very fine,” I said.
“Don’t know. His daughter came about
one hour ago and the door was broken open when there was no response. They were
looking for you for the duplicate key. He was on the bed but dead. They are all
there,” he was telling just when an ambulance followed by a police vehicle
entered the compound. As Tanwar was my friend and the resident of the
opposite flat, I hastened inside.
Tanwar's
daughter Malti on seeing me rushed towards me wailing,” Rajesh uncle, my dad is
dead in sleep. I rang him up three times around 10 pm last night and there
was no response. I was worried. As my husband Sudesh was away, I could not come
here to check. Thinking he might be asleep I did not call him again till
morning. When there was no response again today, I lost no time in coming here.
The doorbell was not answered. I could not find my key in the hurry.
Since you were not there and I
was very anxious to get in, I got the door broken open only to find him inert
and dead on the bed. Meanwhile it seems someone had informed the police,” she
said just as a man in uniform entered along with a colleague. He introduced
himself as Sunil, an inspector of police.
The other guy felt Tanwar’s nostrils
for breath, flashed the torch at his eyes, shook him a bit and lifted his banian
and pajama to see for any injury mark. Not finding any, he muttered, “Could be
a peaceful end in sleep. Was he a heart or sleep apnea patient? “he asked no
one in particular.
“No, he had no heart or respiratory issue
except for some sugar. He did not complain of any problem when I rang him last
evening and he talked cheerfully. This is utterly shocking,” Malti said crying
inconsolably.
“Was he staying here alone? Who took
care of him? He must be in his seventies, “asked the inspector.
“Yes, he insisted on staying alone as
long as he was fit. My mom passed away two years back.
As he was in good health and only 72, we respected his wishes. He made his
food, sometimes got from caterers or bought from outside. Besides Rajesh uncle
was there to keep an eye on his well being. They were very close,” she
clarified.
The inspector took notice of me for
the first time and asked in a brusque manner, “Did you meet him yesterday?”
“Yes, I saw him in the evening around
5 pm and exchanged pleasantries. He was in his usual chirpy mood. There
was no clue even faintly that his end was so close. It is devastating,” I
replied.
“Where were you last night?”
“I was in my flat. I had a severe head
ache and retired early to bed,” I replied.
“Mr. Rajesh, please remain in your
house. I wish to get more details about the deceased man, his acquaintances
etc.”
The inspector quickly had the body
removed to a hospital, had the house closed with temporary lock and posted a
constable outside the flat. Around 4 PM he came back with some men
followed by Malti and her husband. When I came out on hearing the voices, I was
also asked to join by the inspector.
With none except the family members,
myself and the police men, the inspector sat with us in the living
room while one man was seen dusting various places for finger prints and
another guy was going round each room microscopically examining and looking for
some evidence.
Malti broke the silence asking the
inspector, “Do you suspect any foul play? Why the dusting and a detective
scrutinizing closely?”
“Tell me first whether your dad
suffered from insomnia and whether he took sleeping or sedative tablets?
Did he drink?” he asked
“No, he had no sleeping problem
whatsoever. He was a sound sleeper. He took beer occasionally though he had a
bottle or two in the flat. Why all these questions?” Malti asked
“Your dad died of over dosage of
Lorazepam along with alcohol, a fatal combination. We are examining to see how
it had happened unless your dad wished to end his life. Rajesh had seen
him last at 5 pm in happy frame of mind ruling out suicide. This must
have happened much later. He must have had a visitor with this stuff.
I checked with security and as far as he knows no outsider had come to
visit your dad. Rajesh says he went to bed early as he was indisposed. We are
in a quandary and looking for clues,” explained the inspector patiently.
When Malti started sobbing, the
inspector turned towards me and said, “Can you please give her a glass of
water? I will call you later when needed. You may rest at your place.” I
complied with the request and patted her to remain composed before returning to
my flat.
It was evident he did not want my
presence making me uneasy and wondering whether he was suspecting me as I had
access to the flat.
***
When Malti, her husband Sudesh,
inspector and the detective were alone, they took tea brought by a
constable.
“All of you listen to me carefully and
correct me if my reasoning is wrong. Before that can you tell me whether your
mom was taller than your dad and by how many inches,” he asked Malti.
Surprised she asked, “How do you know?
Yes, she was taller than him slightly by more than two inches.”
-“Good, we are making progress. Let me
explain now in proper sequence. The common reason for sudden death in bed could
be cardiac arrest or over dosage of sleeping tablets. Since he had no heart
related ailment, I turned my attention to the possibility of your dad putting
an end to his life. But you ruled out that possibility when you said he was cheerful last evening. Rajesh had also mentioned similarly. So I ruled out suicide for
now.
-There are only three keys, one with dad,
another with you and the third with Rajesh. Security said there was no
stranger who came for this flat and there was a peephole through which your dad
can see unknown visitors before deciding to open. Rajesh had slept early
and you did not come. Who was the person who came in to administer the drug is the question tormenting me?
-The top shelf over the fridge is
beyond reach of your short father. When we checked, we found two beer mugs that
were taken out last evening from the top shelf were left there after drinking
session foolishly without proper cleaning as both had very minute remnants of the drink.
The rest of mugs were dusty. Someone must have come and mixed the sleeping tablets along
with beer given to dad while the suspect took only beer. The beer bottle found
in fridge had very small quantity left indicating it had been used. The contents of
the mugs corroborated our suspicion. The other tests also confirmed the
findings.
“Why would anyone kill an old man
without motive.? Rajesh said he last saw him around 5 pm and had only
pleasantries. Rajesh had also said that he slept early due to head ache. We
questioned the security intensely and confidentially. They tell that
lights were on only in your dad's flat up to 11pm. Who was the person
in your dad's flat who stayed up to 11 pm? He must be obviously known to him
-From the glass of water given to Malti we could get finger prints of Rajesh. From the finger prints
on the two mugs, we could connect the one with the drug to your dad while those from the mug that was used only for beer belongs to a stranger. We are yet to identify him.
You must tell me whether there was any
possible motive that you were aware of like financial dealings, women or shady
deals that went foul and posed a threat to him? If there is one, we can look into
that direction."
"I am not aware of any such
" said Malti and added, "My dad was a very straight forward person
without any blemish. He had told me once that he is financially sound and
did not need any support from daughters."
It was then inspector's colleague took
him aside to another room and whispered something. There was a sudden
spring in the walk of inspector back to hall. He found Malti sitting with
fingers of both hands pressing her temples and Sudesh morose and glum.
Inspector asked very casually, “You
said your husband was not at the house last evening and hence you could not come here.
When did he return? “ Sudesh immediately
turned apprehensively to Malti's side.
" I think around midnight,"
she said innocently.
"Where were you, Sudesh,
till that hour?" asked Inspector.
"I was at the mall playing games
and in coffee shop doing nothing in particular,"
"I have irrefutable information
that you were here at your father-in-law's flat using the key given to Malti,"
Inspector said accusingly.
"No, this is utter nonsense,” he
exploded
“Could be unless the finger
prints on the mugs and the tea cup lie. We have made some discreet enquiries since
morning about your financial position, “ he said and turned to Malti to add, “I
am sorry for you. You are like my sister. Sudesh is in deep financial trouble
with recovery agents of unscrupulous financiers after him with bodily and other threats
and he needs money badly. Only your dad’s end may bring some money.There are only two tall persons and Rajesh is on the clear. We are
taking Sudesh into custody for interrogation. We hope to get the truth soon. You
can nevertheless engage a lawyer to help you. I commiserate with you."
Meanwhile one constable came running
up the steps to tell,” Inspector sahib, Rajesh babu sped away in his car even
when the security tried to stop him and our constables are in hot pursuit in
motor bikes."
"Foolish fellow, he is so scared like
a rabbit that he does not know that flight is proof of guilt, though he
has nothing to worry at all," he said with a smile.
--
