Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup

been on the ascendant. It is said he
owns half the timber factories in Saharanpur. Now his
ambition is to become a minister, like you.'
    'That bastard will never succeed as long as I am around.
We'll deal with him at an appropriate time. But first tell me
what should we do with this Dubey fellow?'
    'Bhaiyyaji, if Dubey squeaks, you are sunk. He has to be
prevented from testifying at all cost.'
    'Then we'll ensure he doesn't testify. You tell Mukhtar
to see me.'
    'Don't you know about Mukhtar? He got picked up by
the police yesterday in Ghaziabad.'
    'What? How could they arrest Mukhtar?'
    'I think there is some rape charge. You know Mukhtar,
Bhaiyyaji. He cannot keep his pyjama cord tied. Always
running after young girls.'
    'Who is the police officer who has dared to arrest
Mukhtar?'
    'There is a new Superintendent in Ghaziabad. Young IPS
chap called Navneet Brar. He is a bit over-zealous. Wants to
stamp out crime from the State. It appears to be his
handiwork.'
    'It is actually the handiwork of the stars. They are
aligned in an inauspicious manner. That is what Guruji told
me. But as long as I have his blessings, I can take on any
challenge. You failed with the witness, Tripurari. Now see
how I sort out the police officer. Get me his mobile number
immediately.'
    *
    'Hello. Navneet Brar speaking.'
    'Navneet, this is Home Minister Jagannath Rai speaking.'
    'Well, what I can do for you, Sir?'
    'I believe you have arrested a man of mine. Mukhtar
Ansari is his name.'
    'Yes, Sir. He has been arrested for raping an under-age
girl. It is a non-bailable offence, Sir. Section 376, in
conjunction with 366. No leniency can be shown.'
    'I am not requesting you to show leniency. I am
directing you to release him immediately.'
    'You cannot issue such an order, Sir. The matter is before
a magistrate. Now Mukhtar can be released only by a court
order.'
    'How dare you defy the Home Minister of the State!'
    'I am sorry, Sir, but I have been tasked with upholding
the law.'
    'It looks as if you are not too bothered about losing your
job.'
    'I am more bothered about doing it correctly, Sir.'
    'Then do the correct thing. Obey the order of your
superior.'
    'I regret to say, Sir, that I cannot obey an illegal order.'
    'So you refuse to obey me?'
    'I refuse to abet a criminal activity.'
    'You are a young officer, Brar, and hot-headed. You are
making the biggest mistake of your career.'
    'I am prepared to face the consequences.'
( Disconnect .)
    *
    'Jai Hind. Director General's residence. Constable Ram
Avtar speaking.'
    'Is the DGP there?'
    'Yes. Who is calling?'
    'Home Minister Sahib wants to talk to him.'
    'It is past midnight. DGP Sahib is sleeping.'
    'Wake him up, you ass, otherwise together with the
DGP you will lose your job.'
    'But DGP Sahib has given strict instructions not to
disturb him.'
    'It appears you have not experienced Bhaiyyaji's wrath.
Ram Avtar, if you don't get me DGP in the next ten
seconds, from tomorrow you will be selling bananas in
Hazratganj, understand?'
    'Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir. I am putting you through
immediately to DGP Sahib's bedroom.'
    'OK.'
    Beep. Beep. Beep .
    'Who is the bastard disturbing me at this time?'
    'Jagannath Rai, Home Minister, will speak to you. I am
passing the line.'
    Beep. Beep. Beep.
    'Hello. Maurya?'
    'Good evening, Sir. Good evening. Why did you take the
trouble of calling at this hour, Sir? I would have come to your
house.'
    'Maurya, tell me how long have you been Director
General of Police?'
    'Eight months, Sir.'
    'And who made you the DGP?'
    'You, Sir.'
    'Then why is it that you do things which make me
regret my decision?'
    'What . . . what, Sir? What has happened?'
    'Your police have picked up Mukhtar Ansari from
Ghaziabad. I think you know very well that Mukhtar is my
right-hand man. How could you allow this to happen?'
    'This is the first I have heard about this, Sir. Must have
been a local operation.'
    'Your SP in Ghaziabad, a chap called Navneet Brar, is
the man responsible. Now listen to my