The arranged murder?️

chapter 15

Saurabh and I kept the folder aside. One of the peons in the police

station brought us two cups of tea.

Saurabh took a big sip.

‘What do you think?’ I said.

‘It’s good chai by police station standards. Biscuits would make it

perfect.’

‘Saurabh, I am talking about the transcripts.’

'Oh' Saurabh said and put the cup aside. ‘Anwar and Gopika. Wow.

Nobody had any idea.’

‘Maybe Prerna discovered the affair. Yelled at Anwar and humiliated

him. He saw her go to the terrace. Pushed her in anger.’

‘You think so?’

‘He could have. Gopika couldn’t have. She’s too tiny' I said.

‘Too early to make judgements. Let’s keep reading.’

Testimony 2: Ramesh Malhotra (father of deceased) Interview by

Inspector Vijender Singh

Full name, age and where areyoufrom?

My name is Ramesh Malhotra. I am fifty years old. We are originally

from Amritsar but I now live in New Friends Colony in New Delhi.

Where were you on the night of 17 October?

I was in the New Friends Colony market. I had gone to purchase paan.

While in the market, I received a call from my wife, Neelam. She told me to

come home immediately as my daughter Prerna has had an accident. I

rushed home to find her dead on the road.

Anything different you noticed about your daughter in the past few

months?

Prerna was about to get married. By nature a workaholic, she was very

excited planning for her wedding. She spoke to Saurabh a lot.

Was she stressed or upset about anything?

Not to my knowledge. She would sometimes feel work pressure to meet

investor targets.

Did she have any enemies, or disputes with people?

(Pause) She had a break up with her ex-boyfriend Neeraj Arora, over

two years ago. Before the break up they had fights. After the break up she

was in depression for six months.

You mean like depression where she needed treatment?No, nothing like that. But she was sad for a long time.

Why did they break up?

Pm not sure. Children don't tell everything to their parents these days.

How were her relations with people in the family?

Prerna was the star of the family. She was not only an achiever, she was

a good person and helped everyone. She had no dispute with anyone in this

house. We are a deeply connected family.

What work do you do?

I have a car dealership in Delhi, and I am a partner in another one in

Amritsar. The Delhi one is for Porsche and the one in Amritsar is for

Volkswagen. We also have an auto parts factory in Amritsar.

How is the financial position of the family?

Well, as you can see aroundyou, we are quite comfortable. By God's

grace we have everything.

How is business right now?

As you may have read in the papers, the auto sector is going through a

downturn. Car sales are down all over. But it is cyclical, ups and downs

keep happening. I am sorry but how is this relevant to my daughter's case,

Inspector?

Just curious. Anyway, how areyour relations with the rest of the family?

Your brother, sister, mother and wife? My mother blesses and thanks me

every day for bringing our family to this level. My brother Aditya and I are

not greatfriends.

Why?

The main issue is work. I want him to lend a hand in the dealership. He

refuses to join the family business. He wants to be a rock singer. Tell me

something, in the land of Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar, how can a

rock singer make a living? He's built a fancy studio on his floor where he

keeps making noise. I am nice to him. I tell him to join the business anytime

he wants. He just won't.

What about your sister?

I have two sisters. Geetu lives in Seattle, US, with her American

husband. Bindu is unmarried and stays with us. Geetu's daughter, Anjali,

stays in my house free of cost. I mean, of course—I can't take rent from my

sister or her daughter, obviously. In Punjabi families, brothers look after

sisters.Bindu, my other sister, is a primary school teacher. With her salary, she

can't afford a decent place either. But I told her, your brother is around, stay

with us.

What do you think happened to Prerna that day?

Isn't that what you are trying to find out?

But still, give me your best guess of what happened?

I don't know, Inspector. It is all a shock to me. God only knows.

‘Well, for now God only knows' Saurabh said as we finished reading

Ramesh’s testimony.

‘God, and the killer' I said.

'Good point. Keep going?1

Saurabh said.

I nodded.

Testimony 3: Neelam Malhotra (mother of deceased) Interview by

Inspector Vijender Singh

Your full name, age and where are you from?

My name is Neelam Malhotra. I am forty-seven years old. My family is

originally from Ludhiana. After marriage, I moved to my husband's place in

Amritsar. Ten years ago we came to Delhi.

Where were you on the evening of 17 October when the incident

occurred?

I was in the kitchen. It was Karva Chauth, but due to my diabetes I can

no longer keep a fast. I was cooking dinner for the entire family when I

heard Adi shouting and Bindu running down the stairs. I followed them

outside the house to find Prerna .. .on the road.

Was there anyone else withyou in the kitchen?

Not at that time. Bindu, who normally helps me with dinner, was in her

apartment. I had told Gopika to set the plates for dinner and then go rest in

her room as well.

Why didyou sendyour maid to rest in her room?

She had worked a lot all day and seemed exhausted. We can't be

inhuman.

Do you know of anyone with whomyour daughter had enmity?

Prerna was beloved to all.

Do you suspect anyone of foul play, in the family or outside?

In the family? What are you talking about? We are a very

respected and close-knit family. All of us have grown up together.Everyone loved Prerna. Outside, I don't know. She never spoke to me

much about her work or her life outside.

What do you think happened?

I told her not to keep the Karva Chauth fast, it will cause

weakness. She is not used to it. If I don't eat food for several hours, I

feel dizzy. I think the same thing happened to her. She didn't eat

anything all day, so she must have been feeling giddy. She stood on the

terrace holding the thali, the sieve and the phone. Not paid attention

while checking her phone, slipped, and due to light-headedness, tipped

over.

You think it was an accident?

What else could it be, Inspector sir?

Testimony 4: Aditya Malhotra (uncle of deceased) Interview by

Inspector Vijender Singh

What's your full name, age and where areyoufrom?

My name is Aditya Malhotra. I am thirty-seven years old. Born in

Amritsar but moved to Delhi ten years ago. In between, I also lived in

Goa andManalifor a year.

Where were you on the night of 17 October?

I was in my apartment, on the third floor of our kothi. I was

making music.

What do you mean making music?

I'm a musician by profession. I sing as well as compose songs. I

have my own studio in my apartment. I work on several projects at the

same time. Anyway, I stepped out of the studio to smoke and came to

the balcony. A crowd had gathered downstairs. I ran down and saw

Prerna lying there. I came back inside and shouted, asking everyone to

come out.

Do you always work from home?

Yes, I do, unless I have a gig outside.

What is a gig?

A job to sing somewhere. I sometimes do gigs at The Leela Palace.

Didyou notice anything strange in Prerna’s behaviour in the past few

months?

I think she was stressed at work. The wedding preparation was extra

work. Also... (pause)

Also what?She wanted to lose weight before the wedding. She was trying really

hard. She even took fitness tips from me. I gave her some advice about diet

and exercise. She couldn’t do it. Added to her stress levels. I think she kept

Karva Chauth because she wanted to fast.

Didyou know of anyone who may have had a grudge against her? As in

people who had an issue with her, to the point that they could be motivated

to harm her?

She was under a lot of pressure to grow Eato. She was tough and a strict

boss. So one of her employees may have held a grudge against her.

You think an employee could kill her?

Dude—I am sorry, I mean, Inspector sir, I have not worked in an office

for even one day. How would I know?

What do you think happened?

I have no idea.

How is your family?

What do you mean how is my family? They are like any other family.

We are normal.

It’s a joint family?

Yes, but there are other joint families too. And we all have our own

space. There is a lot of love and respect.

Do you think anyone in the family could be involved in the death of

your niece?

Impossible. Prerna was the baby of the family.

How is your relationship withyour brother?

Why is that important?

You just said there is a lot of love and respect in the family. But we

understand the relationship between you and your brother is not good?

(Pause) Bhaiya doesn’t understand passion and following your heart. He

thinks unless I sit in the showroom, I am not good enough. Bhaiya won’t

support me in my career like he helps everyone else... (pause) ... Anyway,

how is that relevant?

We are just chatting, Mr Aditya. Please, don't get agitated. So can one

say that you have a grudge against your brother?

What kind of grudge?

Your brother is doing well. Your niece was also doing well. Star of the

family, the apple of your brother's eye. You thinkyou could...could what? Have you lost your mind, Inspector? You told me this was

just a chat. And now you are insulting me.

I am not doing any thing.

Please, do I have the right to stop this testimony? I do not wish to speak

any further.

Testimony 5: Bindiy a Malhotra (aunt of deceased) Interview by

Inspector Vijender Singh

What's your full name, age and where are you from?

My name is Bindiya Malhotra. I am forty-two years old. I live in Delhi.

From Amritsar originally. Everyone calls me Bindu.

What were you doing on 17 October?

I was correcting unit test papers of my students. I'm a primary school

teacher in the New Delhi Municipal Corporation School in Maharani Bagh.

I heard Adi shouting in the house, telling us to go outside. I ran out and saw

...my little girl.. .the little girl of our family.

Bindiya madam, if you need time to calm yourself, we can ask the

questions later.

No, no, how much will I cry? What's the point? She is gone now.

Anyway, ask what you have to.

Most of all, we are trying to figure out if Prerna had some rivalry,

dispute or conflict with someone.

I really can't think of anyone. She was always working. I told her to

slow down, take care of herself. She wouldn't listen. Plus, all that dieting

before the wedding. She must not have been feeling okay that day.

You think this was an accident?

What else could it be? Who would want to harm a little girl?

Bindiya madam,you never married?

No.

If I may ask, why is that?

I just never found anyone. When I was in school, I had a relationship

with someone. My heart was broken. So, for many years I refused to see

any boys for a match. I couldn't trust anyone. Then it became too late.

Do you regret not getting married?

Sometimes, but not really. People get married to get a good family. I

already have a great family. Why are you asking me all this?

Prerna was getting married soon.

Yes, she was. What is the connection?All the celebrations in the house. The happiness she felt. Didyou ever

feel envious of her?

What?

Envy or jealousy. She had what you never did. Is it difficult for you on

Karva Chauth? To see other women dressed up like brides and fasting for

their husbands?

Yes, I do feel a tinge of emptiness on Karva Chauth. But I was so happy

for Prerna. She was like my daughter. No envy there at all.

Are you sure?

What do you mean?

Nothing. Anything else you want to say to us?

While doing your work, please don't be insensitive to our grief.

Testimony 6: Anjali Davis (cousin of deceased) Interview by Inspector

Vijender Singh

What's your full name, age and where areyoufrom?

My name is Anjali Davis. I am from Seattle in the US. I currently live in

my uncle's house in Delhi. I am twenty-six.

Your surname sounds unusual.

My father, I mean stepfather, is American. I have his surname.

What happened to your real father?

My parents divorced when I was three years old. My mother married

Greg Davis and I consider him my father. He's real enough to me.

Where were you and what were you doing on the night of 17 October?

I had just landed back in Delhi after a trekking trip to the Everest Base

Camp. I took a flight from Kathmandu to Kolkata and then another one to

Delhi. I took an Uber from the Delhi airport. When I arrived home, I saw a

crowd in the house. Prerna didi’s body was on the carpet, covered with a

white sheet.

What time didyou take the Uber ride, and what time did you reach

home?

Here, you can check my phone. (The phone was handed over to the

investigating officer)

Note from Inspector Singh:

The phone of Ms Anjali Davis was examined. The Uber app history had

details of the ride. A Maruti Swift Dzire cab was booked. It was driven by

Kartar Singh who had a 4.6 stars driver rating. The ride started at 6.51

p.m.from the Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 1. The Uber taxitook the Ring Road and reached A-956, New Friends Colony at 8.07 p.m.

The fare paid was Rs 458. The distance travelled was 21.3 kilometres. The

phone was returned to the person giving the testimony.

Anjali madam, according to her fiance, Mr Saurabh, he reached the

terrace at 7.50 p.m. and she was not there. Is that correct?

How can I answer that question? I was on my way home.

Are you saying Mr Saurabh could not be telling the truth?

I am only saying I can't confirm it. If this is what he said, then I have no

reason to disbelieve him.

Do you have any reason to suspect Mr Saurabh Mahesh-wari?

No. He seemed to be deeply in love with Prerna. He was very excited

about the wedding.

What about other family members?

What about them?

How would you describe the relations of the family members,

particularly with Prerna?

If you ask them, they will say they are a loving joint family with a lot of

regard for each other.

Is that true?

No. Not in my opinion. They are as dysfunctional as any other family, if

not more.

Why do you say that?

The two brothers, my uncles, hate each other. My grandmother is losing

it. She may have dementia setting in but no one acknowledges it. Ramesh

uncle's business is not doing well. Aditya mamu doesn't have a job or any

source of income. Neelam aunty and Prerna were constantly arguing. In

Neelam aunty's eyes, from dressing to work, Prerna could do nothing right.

My own mother is abroad, largely ignored by the family. Even my

stepfather doesn't want to be with her or me anymore. In fact, I forcibly

inserted myself into this house to find some semblance of a family.

That's quite different from what the others have been saying.

I told you. In the eyes of the world they behave like a perfect Punjabi

khandaan. But it is a mess. But then, which family isn't?

You didn't mention anything about Ms Bindiya?

Well, she is nice. But, of course, she has major issues of her own.

Things she needs to face up to. But I'd rather not say.

What kind of issues?I told you, I'd rather not say. Family matters. Nothing to do with

Prerna's death. Why are you so curious to get into our domestic issues?

Nothing like that. I am just trying to figure out what happened. People

are saying it is an accident.

It isn't. It so clearly isn't.

Why do you say that?

Because Prerna is not stupid to fall off a terrace just like that. She was

absolutely fine. Also, the neighbour, Mrs Goel, told me she heard screams

and arguments from the terrace.

Really? Who is Mrs Goel?

A-959. Her house is the same height as ours, and all the houses in

between are lower. She told me when I took a walk to the market yesterday.

We will definitely talk to her.

Thank you. Have you spoken to everyone else in the family?

Yes, almost. Only your grandmother is left.

Oh, good luck with that.

Testimony 7: Nirmala Malhotra (grandmother of deceased)

Interview by Inspector Vijender Singh

Pranam, madam, are you okay if I askyou a few questions?

No, I am not. But you are going to ask anyway, right?

It is just a request. We can't force you. After all, this is for your

granddaughter. Just a few questions?

What can you do for my granddaughter now? She is gone now. Hun ki

(now what)?

We are trying to find out who did this to her.

Who can do anything? When it is time to go, it is time to go. It's her

kismat.

That's true, but we have to find out who did it.

O aaya si (he was there).

Who was there, Nirmalaji?

The one who did it was there. In my home.

Your home? Who was inyour home?

How do I know? It was dark. I had just woken up from a nap. I wasn't

wearing my spectacles. But he was there, I know.

This is serious. Are you saying the person who killed Prerna Malhotra

was inyour home?I told you already. Are you deaf that you can't hear the first time?

Did you talk to him or her? Do you know if it was a he or a she?

Seemed like a man only. O aaya si. He didn't answer when I shouted at

him. Just flew out of the room.

Flew out? Nir mala Ji, I am being serious.

I am doing comedy?

You are saying the killer flew out.

So?

Nothing. Can I ask some general questions? What is your name, age and

where do you come from?

You keep calling me Nirmala ji, so you know my name, isn't it? What

will you do with my age? I don't know it myself. My father said I was born

a little before Independence, in Lahore. We moved to Amritsar after

Partition. And then here. Why? Why do you want my biodata?

Nothing like that, Nirmala ji,Just doing routine queries. How is the

relationship between everyone inyourfamily?

What do I know? Nobody tells me anything. Everyone does his or her

own thing. This Prerna used to come home at midnight. She said she came

from work. What kind of work do girls do at midnight? And look at this

Geetu’s daughter. She stays in the next room. Roaming around in shorts that

resemble underwear. Neither Ramesh nor Aditya is hard on these girls.

Neelam is another one. Feeding her daughter more and more until she

became a buffalo. I tell you, Bindu is the only one who cares about me in

this house. Otherwise, I would be dead too.

Why would you be dead?

Everyone in the neighbourhood is jealous of us. Ours is the tallest kothi

on the street. Everyone who knew us in Amritsar is also jealous of us. Who

is happy to see other people successful? They all want to hurt me.

‘All’ meaning who? And what about people in the family?

I told you, everyone we know. Even in the family, I don’t trust Neelam.

You never know with bahus. I eat whatever she has cooked only after she

has tasted it first.

Your daughter-in-law wants to hurt you?

Every daughter-in-law wants to hurt her mother-in-law. What sort of

stupid question is this?

I am sorry, but do you have any specific reason to believe Neelam

Malhotra wants to hurt you?She comes every night.

Where?

In my dreams. One day she will tell me not to breathe in my sleep. What

will I do then?

Note: Given her mental state, the police officer decided to end the

testimony. This completes all the testimonies taken at this stage.

'That’s all' I said, placing the sheets back in the file.

‘Let’s discuss over dinner?’ Saurabh looked at his watch. ‘It is eight

o’clock. Eating late doesn’t suit me. Haldiram’s?’

I looked at Saurabh and shook my head.

‘What? I get acidity. Oh, that reminds me, I have to get stomach

medicine. Let’s stop at a chemist later as well.’

surprise with a long chapter. hope you guys are enjoying!!!