Six Suspects (22 page)

I hold the gun in my hand, feel its weight, its raised edges, its
long, smooth barrel. It gives me goose bumps. I am fascinated by
its promise of violent, instant death. 'I'll take it,' I say.

'Unfortunately I have run out of bullets,' the dealer says
regretfully. 'At the moment I have only five cartridges for this gun.
Can you come again tomorrow?'

'No, I am happy with five bullets. Actually, I'll need just one.'

'Hello?'

'Hello.'

'Is this the residence of the Home Secretary?'

'Yes.'

'Is he there? Home Minister Jagannath Rai will speak to
him.'

'One second, Sir. I will pass the line to Home Secretary
Sahib.'

(
Music
.)

'Hello. Baglay speaking.'

'One second, Sir. Minister Sahib will come on the line.'
Beep. Beep. Beep.

'Hello. Gopal?'

'Good afternoon, Sir. I am sorry, Sir, I couldn't call you
in the morning. My fax wasn't working. But now I have the
data. Since yesterday we have had seven cases of murder.
Two dacoities have been reported from Hardoi and
Moradabad. There have been four rape cases in Azamgarh,
Bahra—'

'I am not interested in your daily crime report, Gopal. I
am calling you about something much more important. Tell
me, have you heard of an American film called
Donchi
?'

'
Donchi?
'

'Maybe
Vinchi
. . . V
inchiko
?'

'Do you mean
The Da Vinci Code
, Sir?'

'Yes, yes. That is the film. Have you seen it?'

'Yes, Sir. It's rather good.'

'I want you to immediately ban this film in Uttar
Pradesh.'

'Ban it? But, Sir, this film is quite old. It has already
completed its run.'

'Doesn't matter. Just ban it. I am told that it has
offended the Christian community in the State. It makes all
kinds of wild allegations, like Jesus was having an affair with
some prostitute. How can we allow such films to be
screened?'

'Don't you think you should see the film, Sir, before we
ban it?'

'Since when has it become necessary to watch a film
before banning it? Don't we ban books all the time without
reading them?'

'But Sir, there are other issues, such as freedom of
speech. Article 19 of the Constitution—'

'The Constitution be damned, Gopal. Hardly anybody
reads in this State. Who has time to read the Constitution?
Have
you
read the full Constitution?'

'Er . . . No, Sir. May I ask, Sir, who mentioned this film
to you?'

'It was Father Sebastian. He is a good man. I like
Christians. They are such nice, docile people. Always
dressed immaculately and they speak such wonderful
English. He told me that if I ban the film our party will get
some Christian votes in the local elections. That can do us
no harm. But I don't want to lose other votes into the
bargain. So tell me, if we ban this film will the Hindus in
the State be unhappy?'

'I don't think so, Sir.'

'Will the Muslims be unhappy?'

'Unlikely, Sir.'

'Will the Sikhs be unhappy?'

'No, Sir.'

'Then there is no problem at all. Just ban the wretched
film. It is my order.'

'As you say, Sir. I will have the gazette notification issued
today.'

'And Gopal?'

'Yes, Sir.'

'I believe you have still not carried out my instructions
regarding that Superintendent of Police Navneet Brar. As
long as I am the Home Minister he is not to be given any
medals or awards.'

'Sir, I wanted to discuss this with you. Navneet Brar is a
very meritorious officer. He has single-handedly liquidated
two major Naxalite outfits operating on the India–Nepal
border. If we remove his name from the State Republic Day
Gallantry Award winners, it might demoralize the police
force and—'

'Gopal . . . Gopal . . . Who is the Minister, you or me?'

'You, of course, Sir.'

'And who gives the orders, you or me?'

'You, Sir.'

'Then carry out my order this very minute. Otherwise
from tomorrow you will not be Home Secretary but
Secretary of the Child Welfare Council. Understood?'

'Yes, Sir.'

*

'Good morning, Bhaiyyaji, this is Alok Agarwal speaking.'

'Good morning. It is my great fortune that a big
industrialist like you deigns to remember me once every
three to four months.'

'Please don't embarrass me, Sir. I always try to keep in
touch with you, but what can I do? Work is such that I have
to visit my international associates quite frequently. I got
back from Japan just last night.'

'
Arrey
, you businessmen are always jet-setting around
the globe. Japan today, America tomorrow. And people like
me, we just sit and rot here in this State.'

'Don't say that, Bhaiyyaji. You are doing so much for the
welfare of the people of Uttar Pradesh. I have been
following your campaign for the local elections. You seem to
be drawing huge crowds everywhere.'

'I am glad you recognize this. The newspapers are always
criticizing me. I have now stopped reading them.'

'You cannot say the same about our TV channel
Mashaal. I have personally given instructions that it must
cover all your rallies.'

'Yes, yes. Mashaal has been doing a terrific job. True to
its name, it is a torch. The torch of truth. And you have got
a perfect reporter. What's her name, Seema?'

'Seema Bisht? Yes. Seema is quite good. She narrowly
missed the Reporter of the Year award.'

'I am sure she deserved it more than anyone else. She is
really very pretty. And so fair. Why don't you ask her to
interview me one of these days? Just a – what you people
say in English – one-to-one.'

'Certainly, Bhaiyyaji. I will ask Seema to make an
appointment with your office.'

'That will be nice. But don't involve my office. Tell her
to call me directly on my mobile. Now what can I do for
you?'

'Well, Bhaiyyaji, you know we have put in a bid for the
second power plant near Dadri.'

'Yes. You mentioned it to me last time we spoke. But
you know that you are competing with Tatas and Ambanis.
And Singhania of the JP Group is there too.'

'I know, Bhaiyyaji, and that is why I need you. You
promised me the first power plant in Rewa. I thought we
had a deal, but the contract went to the JP Group.'

'Yes. Mohan Kumar, the former Chief Secretary, tried his
best, but the Chief Minister double-crossed us at the last
minute. Everyone knows he is in Singhania's pocket. Now
Mohan Kumar has retired, so we have to fight that much
harder to keep your competitors out.'

'But I hear on the grapevine that Singhania is already
acting as if he has got the plant. If this contract also goes to
the JP Group I might pull out from Uttar Pradesh
completely. '

'
Arrey
, do you think this State is the Chief Minister's
fiefdom? He cannot award contracts only to his people. We
all have to have an equal share in the spoils. Don't worry,
this contract will definitely go to you, on the same terms as
we had finalized for the first plant. Agreed?'

'Agreed, Bhaiyyaji. So can I go ahead and tell my
international partners to start preparing for the shipment of
the machinery?'

'Yes, yes. No problem. Just don't forget about Seema,
OK?'

'Not at all, Bhaiyyaji. She will meet you. This week – I
will see to it.'

'OK.'

*

'Hello. This is Rukhsana Afsar. Can I speak to the Home
Minister?'

'Jagannathji is not at home. He is out addressing an
election meeting in Gopiganj. Today is the last day of
campaigning for the local elections.'

'Who are you?'

'I am his Private Secretary.'

'Jagannathji is not answering his mobile either. What is
wrong? He has not taken my call once in the last two weeks.'

'Madam, don't you know that Bhaiyyaji changes
girlfriends faster than you change your hairstyle? (
Laughs
.)
You should have got the hint by now . . . Hello? . . . Hello?'
(
Disconnect
.)

*

'Dad?'

'Yes, Vicky? You sound worried.'

'I received a letter in the post today. It is from the
Maoist Revolutionary Centre, a Naxalite outfit, threatening
to kill me if I proceed with the Special Economic Zone
project in Jharkhand.'

(
Laughs
.) 'And you have started shitting in your pants?
Arrey
, never forget that you are the son of Jagannath Rai,
the most feared name in all of Uttar Pradesh.'

'But my project is in Jharkhand. What if the bloody
Naxalites really do something to me?'

'Don't worry. I will get a police battalion posted to your
house.'

'Your police force is absolutely third rate, Dad. I am
going to write to the Delhi Police Commissioner, requesting
commando protection.'

'You are needlessly over-reacting. The Naxalites have not
killed a single industrialist so far.'

'I don't want to be the first, Dad. Bye.'

(
Disconnect
.)

*

'Jagannath, have you seen the results of the local elections?'

'Yes, Chief Minister Sahib. They are not as good as we
thought they would be.'

'Good? They are a disaster. Our party has lost seventyone
seats. How did this happen? You said everything was
going fine.'

'I will do a full investigation. My hunch is that the
opposition bribed the election officials. A lot of
independents also muddied the waters.'

'Well, my information is that the Muslims deserted us.
They cost us at least fifty seats.'

'But why would the Muslims do such a thing? We have
done so much for them.'

'Because of the communal riots you instigated in
Kanpur. You said it would help us get the Hindu votes.
Well, we did not get even one extra Hindu vote and the
Muslims deserted us completely.'

'Don't worry, Chief Minister Sahib. I have worked out a
new strategy which will help us at the next elections.'

'And what is that?'

'I am going to woo the Christians. I have already taken
some steps to ensure that even if we don't get the Muslim
vote, we will compensate by getting the Christian vote.'

'Has your brain gone to chew grass, Jagannath?
Arrey
,
Muslims are 18 per cent of the population. Christians are
less than one per cent.'

'But you should see quality, not quantity. I feel happy
from inside whenever I meet Christian people. They are so
charming.'

'You do what you want. Just don't interfere in party
matters. It was the High Command's biggest mistake to put
you in charge of local elections.'

'Don't blame me. If voters didn't vote then it is partly
because of you. You are the Chief Minister, after all.
Moreover, you never gave me a free hand. If your sidekicks
were not countermanding half my decisions, I would have
worked wonders.'

'No point talking to you, Jagannath.'

(
Disconnect
.)

*

'Hello. This is Seema Bisht from Mashaal channel. Can I
speak to Jagannathji?'

'Let me check.'

Beep. Beep. Beep.

'Hello, Seema. Didn't Alok give you my mobile
number?'

'He did, but I thought I shouldn't call you on your
mobile before I'd even met you face-to-face.'

'Then let's meet face-to-face.'

'Yes, we will. I also wanted your reaction to the death of
MLA Lakhan Thakur.'

'What? Lakhan Thakur is dead?'

'Yes. It is breaking news on our channel. He was shot
dead half an hour ago as he was leaving his house.'

'This is most shocking! Have any arrests been made?'

'No, but the Director General of Police B.P. Maurya has
made a statement that the timber mafia appears to be
behind the murder. So can we meet?'

'Yes, absolutely. I have a very nice guesthouse in Gomti
Nagar. Can you come there tonight, let's say at about ten?'

'Won't that be rather late?'

'It will be a dinner meeting. We have much to talk about.'

'OK, I'll see you there.'

'See you. '

*

Beep. Beep. Beep.

'Bhaiyyaji, Prem Kalra wants to speak to you.

'Who?'

'Prem Kalra. The editor of the
Daily News
.'

'Oh, that swine? OK, put him on.'

Beep. Beep. Beep
.

'Hello, Prem. You have remembered me after a long
time.'

'I will not take much of your time, Home Minister
Sahib. I just wanted to get your comment on the death of
Rukhsana Afsar.'

'Yes, it is very sad. She was a loyal party worker.'

'Why do you think she committed suicide?'

'How would I know? You should ask the police.'

'Do you know that she has left behind a suicide note?'
(
Pause
.)

'What does the note say?'

'It says, "Darling Jagannath" and then it has a couplet
from Ghalib. A rather good one:

'
Hum ne maanaa ke tagaaful na karoge lekin

Khaak ho jaayenge ham tumko khabar hone tak.

I do agree that you won't delay,

But I will die by the time you arrive.'

'A very fine couplet indeed. But what has that got to do
with me?'

'It is said that you were having an affair with her and
then dumped her.'

'Lies. All lies. I hardly knew her.'

'She has been seen in your company on many occasions.'

'I am a public person. And you know in public life one
meets many people, including women. Doesn't mean that I
have affairs with all of them. I am a happily married man.'

'There is also a tape.'

(
Longer pause
.)

'What kind of tape?'

'An audio tape.'

'And what is there on this tape?'

'Plenty. It has you talking to her, quoting some rather
nice Ghalib couplets. I especially like the part where you
tell her your opinion of the Chief Minister.'

'How did you get this tape?'

'It was mailed to me by Rukhsana just before her death.
She must have taped you when you were in her bedroom.'

'Do the police know about this tape?'

'No. It is in my custody. Do you want me to play a few
snippets?'

(
Pause
.)

'Well, Home Minister Sahib?'