While going through the old police records for some reference, the eyes of S.P Roy stuck at a name in the list-“Girish Chowdhury”. The very familiar name made Roy to stand motionless, leaving only his eyes that constantly streamed through every detail of the photograph of the criminal, which was attached to the upper-right corner of the old and almost worn out page.
Abhimanyu Roy-Superintendent of Police of Nadia. Presently, he is also a loving husband and a caring father of two sons. His past records reveal him as a really brave officer, both physically and mentally. But now his present rank and the pressure of 45 years of his life, has left him brave from just the heart.
As his eyes remained fixed on the photograph, his mind went back 15 years ago. Roy was then a young, bright-spirited 30 years old A.S.P. Never had he proven himself irresponsible and unfit for the job. Almost 99% cases under him had been successfully solved by his wit and eligibility. Such was a case of ‘‘Girish Chowdhury’’:
One fine day, when Roy was sitting with relaxation in his office, suddenly the shrill ring of the phone raised his consciousness.
“Yes. Kotwali Police Station………Oh Sir. What’s the matter?”
The voice of the man from other side spoke, “I’ve got a case. Criminal, of course. There has been three consecutive murders in Chhattisgarh, Dakhineswar and Puri.”
A confused Roy told, “But why you are telling these to me?”
“Did you solve the ‘Siddeshwari Kalibari’ priest murder case?”
“No Sir, not yet.”
“Listen then. The murders in the regions that I mentioned is also of priests’ of temples. And most importantly, they are also killed by the same way, which is their heart is torn out of them. So I am suspecting that these murders might be linked to that of your city. It may be by one being or one group. Investigators from each region will be arriving tomorrow to aid you in your investigation.”
“Ok sir. I will be in action.”……the line disconnected.
Investigation started in full force from the next day. No clues had been found in the previous five days. Interrogations of the related of the victims even, did not reveal any clues. The only link was that all were Hindu priests, and their heart is missing. There are no relations among the four victims from any edge. Who has grievance against these priests? Anyone of opposite religion? Most probably a Muslim, may be. (As he thought these, his eyes moved over to the newspaper that was kept on his table. The news shocked him. The line read: - ‘Priest of Church, lose his heart of devotion.’). What?
Suddenly the phone rang……..He picked it up and said,
“Yes. It’s ASP Roy.”
“Did you read the news?”
“Yes sir. But let me tell you that there are no links between these murders.”
“What’s the progress of the investigation so far?”
“In the middle of nowhere.”
“Carry on fast. We are running out of time”. The line disconnected.
A month passed in the search but still they were in the middle of nowhere. And within that month the number of murders increased from five to nine, then including two ‘Maulavis’. So then most probably, the homicide was not a Muslim.
On one Sunday evening, when the country was flooded with the orange glow of the setting sun, Roy was taking a walk in around the city, when he came across an old house. It was in a dead area. The house was like a normal one, its concrete roof-railings were having dense network of mosses, and the windows were covered with cracked and dusty glass panes. The front area of the house was small, and grasses and bushes surrounded the haunting villa. A big, rusty lock hanged from the door, making the house inaccessible. On blowing off the dust from the nameplate, it read ‘Girish Chowdhury’.
Roy noticed a man, a few meters from there, exiting a house. He then called and quickly went up to him. Roy was in his casual dress, so the man would be unaware of his designation. Roy asked, “Do you live here?”
“Yes.” The man replied casually.
Pointing at the haunting villa, Roy asked, “Can you tell anything about that house and the house owner? Does anyone leave there?”
“Yeah. A cracked head live there.”
A confused Roy asked, “What do you mean?”
“The owner is Girish Chowdhury. I heard he is a MBBS pass out. Good, dedicated man. But something had made him change. Now probably he is 35. For the last three to five years, he is behaving strange. He doesn’t talk with anyone, unlike before. Most of the time remains in his house with all windows closed except that of the attic. We don’t even see any light glowing inside the house, except for a dim one in the attic.”
“Did you talk with him recently?”
“Yeah there was a puja in our house and I went to give him some ‘Prasad’, but on hearing it, he angrily rejected it and slammed the door.”
“Strange. Do you know where he is now?”
“Yeah. When I saw him getting out of his house with a bag pack, maybe a month ago, I approached him to enquire. He just told that he would return within two or three months after finishing some works.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
Saying this, both Roy and the man walked away in opposite direction.
Roy thought: More than a month; nine murders. And now a crack head; is it possible for a man to travel to five different states in one month and commit nine murders? Anything is possible in air.
The next day he called his superior and after telling all about his thoughts, asked, “Sir, can you provide me with an information?”
“Speak”
“I need names of passengers of all flights to all the crime regions consecutively, a day or two before the murders. And also the name of the persons who had checked out from various low cost hotels of the regions, on the day or day after the murder.”
“Ok. You’ll receive it soon.”
Within two days the information was within his reach and also the first clue was found. Among all the names, one name was common in the lists- ‘Girish Chowdhury’
“Girish Chowdhury, you son of a bitch. Das, quickly contact the airway service and ask them to give all the possible information on Girish Chowdhury.” After all he is a cracked head, not so smart.
Within an hour, the information was at hand.
“So his next destination is Uttar Pradesh.” He picked up the receiver of the phone and dialed to U.P. Police Commissioner.
“Sir, I am ASP Abhimanyu Roy from Krishnanagar, West Bengal. There is going to be a murder in one of your cities within a few days. Alert all the police stations. Tell them to give protection to all the priests, Maulavis and Fathers of churches. A psychopath called Girish Chowdhury will be the one committing this murder.”
After digesting all these, the commissioner said, “Okay. I’ll be in action immediately.”
“And inform me after you catch him.” The line disconnected……
That night Roy was unable to sleep much. Next day. No news at all. But he didn’t had to wait for long. Within two days, the good news was out. Girish Chowdhury was arrested, taken for trial and was sentenced to death for public assault and attempt of murder. But the reason of his acts was absurd. It was this:
Girish had said, “You fools. You have all did a great mistake by interfering in the work of the almighty Satan. (Laughing) I was on the verge of attaining His power.” Upon asking why he did that, he replied, “The Devil himself has ordered me to collect thirteen hearts of Messengers Of God. Then I shall have his power. But you fools, you will feel His rage.” His words ended with a frightening laugh.
Roy was present at the time of his hanging. When Girish heard that Roy was the main culprit, he said, “Roy…HeHeHeHeHaHaHa… Listen to me. I’ll return for you one day, when you’ll have much to lose, and I’ll take them all from you.” The next moment he was silent forever.
PRESENT DAY:
The photo reminded him of Girish’ last words. It kept ringing in his ears. Oh, it was such a Laugh of a Devil. He returned home at dusk. The normal routine of evening greetings, relaxing with his family and enjoying his wife’s delicious food continued till they are all at sleep.
At midnight, the image of Girish Chowdhury laughing at him, made him awake. He called his wife to pass the water bottle from beside her. She didn’t response. Most probably she was in a deep sleep. So Roy switched on the lamp on his left and turned right to get to the water. Upon turning, he saw the most horrifying and dreadful incident of his life. His wife was lying motionless with blood flowing out of her chest. She was dead.
Roy was confused. His throat was feeling choked. He didn’t know what to do. Then something struck his mind and he ran to his sons’ room. His hands were shaking when he was opening the door of the room. He opened the door. Standing on the threshold of the room, he switched on the lights. The CFL did not glow instead the dim light did, and what Roy saw in that faint light, made him turn pale………….
