The previous night had brought tragedy to Jalapuranagar in the form of yet another victim claimed by the man-eating leopard that stalked its streets. Dulal, the village barber known for his cheerful behaviour and skilled hands, had fallen prey to the beast's relentless fury, his life snuffed out in a flash of teeth and claws. As news of Dulal's gruesome demise spread through the village like wildfire, panic gripped the hearts of the residents, casting a pall of fear over the once-peaceful community. Doubts began to pop up in Dulal's friend and neighbour Anil Das's mind, questioning the official narrative of Dulal's death and casting suspicion on the true nature of the tragedy that had befallen his friend and neighbor.
Next morning, Detective Raj Biswas received an unexpected call from Dulal's friend, Anil. The urgency in Anil's voice was unmistakable as he told about his doubts about the circumstances surrounding Dulal's death, his words tinged with disbelief and suspicion.
Anil: "Hello, myself Anil Das. Is this Mr. Raj Biswas on the other side?"
Raj: "Yes, you did call up the right person."
Anil: "I am Anil Das, a resident of Jalapuranagar. I am sure you must have read about the tensions going on among the villagers because of the man-eater?"
Raj: "Yes, I did read about it on the newspaper yesterday. It's really unfortunate that twelve people lost their lives becoming a prey to the beast. Yesterday I read about the poor barber. It was tragic."
Anil: "But Mr. Biswas, to be honest, I actually doubt the entire official narrative of my friend's death." Anil's voice crackled over the phone, his words mixed with uncertainty.
Anil: "I know Dulal, he was cautious. He wouldn't have ventured out alone towards his shop in the morning, especially with the leopard on the prowl."
Raj listened intently, his brow furrowing in thought as he processed Anil's words. The doubts that had lingered at the back of his mind now bubbled to the surface, fueling his determination to uncover the truth behind Dulal's tragic demise.
Raj: "You may be onto something, Mr. Das," Raj replied, his voice grave with concern. "I'll look into it and try to find out what really happened to him."
Anil: "Thank you Mr. Biswas. I'll message you mine as well as Dulal's address. And upon reaching our village, you may contact me by ringing to this very number."
Raj: "Sure asap."
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The Leopard's Prey: A Raj Biswas Investigation
General FictionIt began like any other day, with Raj Biswas sipping his morning tea and perusing the newspaper. A headline caught his eye: "Man-Eating Leopard Terrorizes Jalapuranagar." The article detailed a series of attacks by a rogue leopard from the nearby Ja...
