Love Around Law

Chapter 14

The car gets stuck on the mud road. Sidharth gets down to check what has happened. The other car of the police which was following them stops behind them. Chaudhry and Deshmukh get down the car immediately. Even Shehnaaz gets down the car and stands beside Sidharth. Sidharth bends down and finds a few pieces of broken bangles. Those were blood strained and the drops of blood have not dried, which indicates that something had happened just a few moments ago. Sidharth asks a constable to wear gloves and safely put those inside a transparent plastic pouch. The driver looks at the tyre and says "ACP Sir tyre puncture ho gaya. I will change it." Sidharth nods.

Chaudhry asks, "Sir how can these bangles be here in the middle of a road? Who will wear bangles in the forest?" Sidharth looks at him and shows the plastic containing the broken glass bangles,  "Chaudhry see these marks of blood on the bangles carefully." Understanding what he is trying to say, Chaudhry says "So Sir you mean that someone was attacked or some scenario like that and the bangles broke when someone tried to stop or force her?" Sidharth nods, "It seems like that."

While the driver fixes the car, Sidharth walks a few steps in front and lights a cigarette. He takes a puff when he hears Shehnaaz asking "You smoking again?" He questions her "Yes, otherwise what am I doing with the cigarette now?" She further asks, "are you a regular smoker? I mean how many do you smoke in a day?" He replies "It depends on the situation", turning towards her he says, "Why are you so interested about how many cigarettes I smoke in a day?"
"It's not good for your health Sidharth," she sighs, "You're an officer you should be fit. Smoking is not good." Before he could reply the driver calls him, "Sidharth Sir gadi thik ho gayi."

"Deshmukh check the location of Kanika's house."
The cars halt infront an old single storey house. "I don't think it is possible to go further, we will have to walk", says Sidharth. "Chaudhry, Shehnaaz and Sidharth get down the car." Chaudhry instructs the constables in the second car to quietly check the location and report if they find anything suspicious. Before heading towards the house, Sidharth tells the other constables to be alert. "Wait outside the house. Be very alert, if you get our signal get inside immediately. I don't want any delay." They nod attentively. Sidharth puts the plastic containing the broken bangles safely inside the dashboard of the car. He looks at Shehnaaz and says in a low voice "Stay with me. Do not roam around alone." She nods her head to what he said.

Chaudhry walks a few steps and points backwards, "Sir that's a police car. Par aapne toh mujhe sirf teen Constable ko saath laane bola tha." Sidharth replies "I had informed Inspector Gupte to send few more constables. It's better to be prepared before a battle." Chaudhry nods, he knows Sidharth actually knows how and when to execute his plans.

Sidharth, Inspector Chaudhry, Inspector Deshmukh and Shehnaaz walk towards Kanika's house. Shehnaaz looks at Sidharth with her eyes full of worry. He tightly holds her wrist to relax her but she looked different. He had seen her tensed, but today she looks terrified- as if she is being reminded of some bad memories. Being as excellent officer in the crime department, Sidharth has mastered the art of reading someone's eyes. As far as Shehnaaz's matter is concerned, he can understand her better like no one else does. He whispers in a low voice "Shehnaaz mujh par vishwas rakho, sab theek ho jayega." She holds his hand and nods.

It is a old house, there are lot of plants surrounding the area. Beside the house, there is a small separate room like an out house, but it is locked from outside. An elderly woman, probably the house help opens the door. Seeing men in police uniform she announces fearfully "Sa'ab madam sahiba..police..". Then a woman in her mid-fifties come outside immediately. She is wearing a green colour saree with a big bindi on her forehead. Seeing her Shehnaaz whispers in Sidharth's ear "She is Kanika's mom." The lady looks at Shehnaaz in disgust and then looks at Sidharth.