The Leopard's Prey: A Raj Biswas Investigation

Post-Mortem Report

Raj's mind raced as he carefully examined the post-mortem report in the dimly lit office of Inspector Sharma. The harsh fluorescent lights cast shadows across the room, accentuating the gravity of the situation. Dulal's death, initially assumed to be the result of a savage leopard attack, had now been confirmed as a cold-blooded murder. The revelation sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community of Jalapuranagar. Inspector Sharma leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his graying hair. "I'm afraid the report confirms the suspicions, Mr. Biswas. It's murder. But the report also says, that leopard's teeth was involved in causing these injuries. But, there were no injury or marks in the body caused by it's claws." Raj's jaw tightened as he absorbed the grim news. " How come a leopard didn't use it's claws to grip it's prey before biting it? Do we have any more leads?"

Inspector Sharma sighed, tapping his pen against the desk. "Not much, I'm afraid. But I've heard whispers about Vickey Saha and his gang. They've been troublemakers in these parts for far too long." The mention of Vickey Saha's name sparked a flicker of recognition in Raj's mind. "Vickey Saha...Anil and his wife told me about him and his reputation. Mrs. Roy says he accompanied Dulal to his salon that morning befor the tragedy happened. I heard Dulal owed around two Lakh rupees to him." Inspector Sharma nodded grimly, and said: "I heard the same from Mrs. Roy. The poor barber, found himself in difficult financial situation due to unforeseen circumstances. A series of unfortunate events, including a sudden illness of his son, Ankit and a string of equipment failures in his salon, left Dulal struggling to make ends meet. Desperate to provide for his loved ones and keep his business afloat, Dulal sees no other option but to seek financial assistance. Enter Vickey Saha, a notorious goon known for preying on the vulnerable and exploiting their misfortunes. Vickey, sensed Dulal's desperation, offers him a sizable loan with exorbitant interest rates, knowing full well that Dulal will struggle to repay it. Initially hesitant, Dulal felt he has no choice but to accept Vickey's offer, hoping it would provide temporary relief. With the loan of 2.5 lakh rupees, Dulal managed to keep his salon running and support his family, even though at a steep cost. However, as time passed, Dulal found himself trapped in a vicious cycle of debt and intimidation. Vickey Saha began to exert control over Dulal, using threats and coercion to ensure timely repayment of the loan. Dulal, already burdened by financial stress, now lived in constant fear of Vickey and his gang, knowing the dire consequences of falling behind on his payments. Despite his best efforts to repay the loan, Dulal's meager earnings are no match for Vickey's insatiable greed. The debt continues to grow, weighing heavily on Dulal's conscience and fueling his sense of hopelessness. He's a thug, preying on the vulnerable and exploiting their fears. People did complain about him in the past few times, but he managed to escape from the police because of insufficient evidence. Most of the time the villagers are scared to even file a case against him. But, the question is, even if he and in gang is involved in the killing, how come, the post mortem report says leopard teeth involved? Could it be, that after Vickey killed him, the leopard came to feed on the dead body?"

"Leopards don't scavenge. This murder was cleverly planned to make it seem like Dulal's death was just another leopard meal. I bet they used a weapon, they made from the leopard's own teeth! But they never thought Biswas would get on the case. Now, they're in hot water, cause it's a Raj Biswas investigation, and he doesn't let anything slide." Raj's thoughts raced as he considered their next move. "What if we gather evidence this time? What if we infiltrate his gang?"

Inspector Sharma's eyes widened in surprise. "That's risky, Mr. Biswas."

"I'll disguise myself as a 60-year-old, bearded local cowboy," Raj declared, his voice steady despite the weight of their conversation. "I'll need your help to ask permission for borrowing some local cows from any villager, and take them out to graze near the forest, where Vickey Saha and his gang usually gather." Inspector Sharma's brow furrowed with concern. "Raj, you're playing a dangerous game. Vickey and his crew are not to be trifled with."

But Raj was resolute. "I know the risks, Inspector. But this is the only way to uncover the truth behind Dulal's murder."

With a heavy sigh, Inspector Sharma nodded. "Very well, Raj. But be careful out there. And if anything goes wrong, don't hesitate to call for backup."

Raj left the police station with a sense of purpose, heading straight back to Anil's house where Naresh awaited him. He explained his plan to Naresh, who listened with growing apprehension. "Dada, are you sure about this?" Naresh's voice was laced with concern. "It's too dangerous to go undercover like that." But Biswas remained steadfast. "I have to do this, Naresh babu. For Dulal and his family. For justice."

With a shared glance of understanding, Raj and Naresh set out into the bustling market away from Jalapuranagar, gathering the necessary supplies for Raj's disguise. They selected an assortment of weathered clothing, a fake beard, and a pair of slippers to complete the transformation.

The next morning dawned crisp and clear, the forest beckoning with its cool embrace. Raj donned his disguise with practiced ease, feeling the weight of his mission settle upon his shoulders. Accompanied by five borrowed cows, Raj made his way towards the outskirts of the forest, the air alive with the chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves. The lush greenery enveloped him in a sense of calm, even as the specter of danger loomed on the horizon. As he ventured deeper into the forest, Raj's senses sharpened, attuned to the slightest movement or sound. He heard the distant call of Indian Hornbill birds, their melodious song echoing through the trees. Suddenly, Raj caught sight of a group of magnificent Wild Boars, their sleek forms darting gracefully through the underbrush. He watched them with a mixture of admiration and a feeling of fear, acutely aware of the predator lurking nearby. And then, as if conjured by his thoughts, Raj spotted Vickey Saha and his gang huddled in the shadows of the forest. His heart pounded in his chest as he approached, steeling himself for the confrontation that lay ahead. As Raj listened in on their conversation, his heart sank at the callousness of their words. Vickey Saha's gravelly voice filled the air, boasting about how they had fooled the police into believing Dulal's death was a leopard attack. The gang members laughed uproariously, unaware of the danger lurking in their midst. He heard Sunil Kundu, who was one of the gang members, suggest eliminating the only obstacle in their path: The detective himself. Raj listened intently to the conversation between Vickey Saha and his gang, he felt a chill run down his spine. The gang's voices were low and menacing, their words laced with malice as they plotted their next move. Vickey Saha with his rough voice, spoke first. "We can't let that private detective dig any deeper into Dulal's death. He's getting too close to the truth." Sunil Kundu's lips, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we need to take care of him before he ruins everything for us." Raj's heart hammered in his chest as he strained to catch every word, his disguise providing him with the perfect vantage point. He listened intently as Vickey and his cronies devised a plan to eliminate the one obstacle standing in their way: Raj Biswas.

"We'll ambush him when he's least expecting it," Vickey declared, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Once we come to know about where he is residing here, we'll catch him off guard and make sure he never interferes with our business again." The gang members chuckled darkly, their voices echoing through the forest as they finalized their sinister plot. With a sinking feeling in his gut, Raj realized the danger he was in. But he remained steadfast, determined to see justice served for Dulal and his family.

Around three hours later, as the gang dispersed, Raj watched from his hidden vantage point, his senses on high alert. But as the area emptied, he noticed something peculiar: the cows he had brought with him began to stir restlessly, their lowing growing louder and more frantic by the second. Before Raj could react, the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor. And then, just as darkness began to descend, he heard it: the chilling howl of an Indian Grey Wolf, its haunting cry echoing through the trees. Raj's blood ran cold as he caught sight of the wolf's gleaming eyes in the dim light, its predatory gaze fixed on him with unnerving intensity. With a quick decision, Raj knew he had to retreat, in order to avoid the risk of falling victim to the dangers lurking in the shadows. With a sense of urgency, Raj guided the panicked cows back towards the safety of the village, leaving behind the treacherous forest and the lurking threats it concealed. Though the evening was filled with danger, Raj remained undeterred, his determination to uncover the truth burning brighter than ever before. After that Raj called up Inspector Sharma and told him about what he had heard.