Arunatara reached the majestic edifice of the circuit house in the centre of the city located on the hillock in the posh Uplands area. It was built in 1931 during the British rule. It was then known as the Judges Bungalow, as circuit judges would come and stay during their tour. So it was called Circuit House.
Later, during the Madras Presidency days, it was the official summer residence of the Governor and people started calling it Governor’s Bungalow. Now it accommodates the top bureaucrats like President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of Supreme Court and judges, union ministers, governors, ministers and members of the parliament during their visit to the city.
Arunatara got down from the bullet proof car and walked into the Bungalow while the police escort stayed outside the palace. Special security officer in black safari suit, her personal secretary Mr. Pachaco who reached there an hour ago went in with her but they stopped in the corridor while Aruna walked in. The palace staff attended her. The police vehicles were in the campus under the trees.
***
It was 12.00 PM. The sun is overhead but the Circuit house is still cool as the cool wind is blowing from the sea. Arunatara wore yellow cotton saree with read boarder and a read blouse. She has a large red mark on her forehead. She was glowing like the bright sky and the red mark on her forehead appears like the sun. She sat on the sofa in a big hall and was talking to the visitors.
"How come visitors are still waiting for? " said the personal security officer to her personal secretary who was sending one by one. "It is not an official program and it is not in her constituency. Naturally there should not be any visitors except the university officials who invited her for the cultural show but she was spotted by her previous party women wing president. She and the other women members of the party came here." said her personal secretary. "Members of the previous party meeting her? This is very strange?! " said the security officer. " It is strange to you but not to us. That is madam's strength! She always maintains strong human relations."
She wants to meet her daughter Lakuma. It is long since she has met her. Her heart is longing to meet her, Malini and her children. She looked at the suit-case with clothes. Pushpa the current women wing president is talking to her. " You have set a good example of a hard work and courage. You left the party and lambasted his crooked dictatorial ways." Aruna smiled at Pushpa and said " How are you doing in the party?"
" Where is the party after losing power almost everybody desolated him. A few loyalists like me are still hanging to the party" said Pushpa Aruna looked into the waiting room from her sofa. A few more women members are there. She called them in. Four women came in and sat in front of her. The oldest of them said " He is the symbol of nepotism and caste feeling. Time has taught him a lesson for the father and son who maintained the political party like a private company."
The old CM stood for his caste the new CM stood for religion promoting Christianity. None stood for the people. His MLAs also stood for corruption, conversion and Christianity but God has punished such people." said the youngest of them. Aruna laughed
Don't you know MLA Simchachalam died ? In fact he was murdered by a girl.
What? I have read the newspaper in the train. Why there is no news?
He was admitted in the hospital after receiving multiple stabs. Today he breathed last in the hospital. His death was declared only an hour ago. Aruna switched on the TV for the news. "His death was predicted two days ago by a girl who is believed to have magical powers. Who's that psychic who predicted a road accident before it occurred. Who's that God women? Stay tuned!"
Aruna switched off the Television and started to Anandanilayam.
***
Sabbavaram Police station is empty. There are two constables and the inspector. Varsha and Kesava entered the police station. It was Malini's wish that Varsha should not go alone to Sabbavaram after the attack on Mareedu.
Inspector, Bairreddy is here in the village, He is behind the attack on the pastor.
Where is she? asked the inspector.
"He has many houses I don't know where he is. It is your job to find out." said Varsha
Look Mr. Bharatavarsha , I did not say where is he? I said Where is SHE?
SHE? I don't understand? Who is she?
Inspector: Tell me where is she? The MLA was murdered. The murdered MLA's wife is viewing the case seriously. How could she guess the death of the MLA that she sang about it a day before? people are watching her footage on the TV. Now did you understand who she is? She is VIDISHA girl whom you are backing up ,for whom you are buying trouble.
That is not called guessing that is called psychic prediction. said Bharatavarsha
The constable in the station said " Sir, she is mad, she keeps wandering here and there and sings weird songs. " But the MLA's widow suspects some conspiracy behind the murder and She suspects the girl's hand in the murder because she and the murderer are friends.
Inspector why do you want to trouble the innocent girl? said Kesava
Did the MLA's widow Ratna kumar give you any complaint? Asked Varsha
No, She did not! But how did you know her name? asked the inspector.
"I know her too. She is not a person like that." said Kesava.
Inspector you think that she is the conspirer ?! Do you remember that she is the victim of Bairreddy and she is the complainant whose complaint lies in your station? Bairreddy is here in the village. You don't talk about Bairreddy why ?
Yes I think that she is the conspirer. It is called suspicion. I will arrest her under suspicion.
"You can't arrest her , there are so many rules to arrest a woman. I can talk to the SP but then it becomes a complaint against your apathy. I don't like it." Said Varsha
Don't teach me law Mr. Bharatavarsha if I can't arrest into custody to question her. You want to complain about me to the SP? You are warning me in my station. I am arresting you now. He pushed Bharatavarsha and Kesava into the cell. They were behind the bars.
***
The taxi stopped before Anandanilayam. Manjusha thought it was Arunatara and ran to the gate but was surprised to see Seshachalam with his daughter. Malini came out to see who has come received them with open arms and brought them in. They sat in the chairs in the manduva house. Manju gave them water. A moment later when Malini was giving them coffee Seshachalam said "It is a nice old house that captured and stored love and peace in it." Vidisha sipped the coffee and said to Manju " Love is sealed in it!"
Almost any minute You can see Varsha reading , writing or teaching. He talks to the flowers in the garden in verses. Saraswathi is sealed in this house.
Your son is singing sweet verses in his own house. My daughter is singing weird verses wandering all over. She sang the death of the MLA a day before it occurred. It was recorded by a TV channel. Now the village became like a crowded fair. As the CM is coming to the Village. All the police were there at his house and on the roads for Bandobast. The media is making hustle and bustle. That is why I brought my daughter here." Said Seshachalam
Manjusha was shocked. "Oh it is a news to us!" and turned on the TV. The news of Simhachalam's death is scrolling with visuals in silent mode.
***
A woman stood at a corner holding a mega phone in her hand. She was shouting to the passing trucks and car and scooters, " Halleluja, Halleluja, Halleluja, brothers, sisters, please spend your valuable time to list to this piece of invaluable information. Nobody stopped , nobody cared to hear what she says but still she shouts in vain. Two passers by who are going on foot stopped and threw a nasty look at her strange campaigning. One of them said" Look at the cheap publicity." The other man said" What a pity! Christianity has become Multilevel chain marketing. Joseph Venkateswarulu recorder her message and moved to another corner of the village.
It was a small shopping complex. It was a row of six shops with rolling shutters. A group of people with bibles and pamphlets in hands got into those shops and started distributing the pamphlets. The owner of one of the shops refused to take the pamphlet. The owner of the other shop got into an argument. "Yesterday I saw you in our hour colony. Today you came to our shops. Who gave you the permission to preach in houses and shops? The argument soon became a quarrel "We will call the police said some shopkeeper."
Do you know who I am? I am a government pastor. The shop owners were agape. "He is jojibabu the pastor in Nagireddy's Church. He is not government pastor" said the boy working in the shop. "You poor fellow! The Government is constructing my church. I receive honorarium from the government every month. What does this mean? The police station is near by they dragged them to the police. Joseph Venkateswarulu followed them with the video camera. He saw a taxi on the road near the police station. Varsha has been using this taxi, Is he in ? He said to himself and walked into the police station. He saw Varsha and Kesava in the cell and went back silently.
After five minutes joseph venkateswarulu came back with 30 people, men and women and asked the sub-inspector to release the innocent men. " Inspector don't stand against justice. Bharatavarsha is the man who stands for justice. Release the innocent men." said Joseph venkatewsarulu. One of the men was recording him.
Bharatavarsha is not innocent he has threatened me in my station. I suspect this jobless man may be the part of the conspiracy of the girl. Otherwise how can he use taxi every time he comes to this village? I arrested him under suspicion. I don't need to tell you more. I will tell the rest to the magistrate. Now I have to go to Bandobast. You can go. said the Sub inspector and rose from the chair to go.
Sir, one last word he is the jobless man is stood for the homeless old. He mortgaged his ancestral home and borrowed money. He is ready to sell himself to fulfil the duty of a good citizen though it is not obligatory on him. He never sold his duty to rowdies for bribes.
Before he finished he felt the inspector's hand on his jaw. Joseph Venkateswarulu laughed.
"Sir do you know that a sub inspector and a constable from Rapuru police station were beaten up inside their own police station in Nellore district by a group of villagers?" The sub inspector was beside himself worked up into a rage. He had beaten Joseph Venkateswarulu like a beast and pushed him into the cell.
The entire incident which was caught on camera. The villagers storming in towards a policeman snatched the keys and opened the cell. The mob was angry that the sub inspector had locked up the complainants who came to the station and had beaten the man who came to seek justice. A policeman tried to intervene and pacify locals, they pinned him against the wall and landed a few punches on his face. They attacked the police station and dragged the SI out.
***
Aruna looked at Vidisha and said "how are you here?
seshachalam began to say when Malini stopped him.
There are many things waiting for you let us go in. It is lunch time first luch and then talk said Malini. Aruna sat at the dining table Manju and Vidisha are serving. Malini was in the kitchen bringing dishes and placing on the dining table. How is the brinjal curry?
Aruna's eyes were searching for Damini. In fact Aruna told Damini over phone that she was coming by train that day to see everyone at Anandanilayam. She turned her head 360 degrees and looked all sides. Malini brought Sambar served to Aruna. How is it?
Do you remember anybody ?
Aruna did not understand why Malini was asking until her gaze suddenly stopped at curtain hanging at the kitchen door. Damini hiding behind the curtain at the kitchen door. OMG cheating cheating she shouted, went to Damini and caught her by ear. Aruna brought her to the dining table made her sit beside Malini. Malini was trying to sneak into the kitchen. Aruna caught her by ear and brought her to the table.
Aruna was hot and boiling. Damini said " you asked me not to tell Malini that you are coming today. I kept my promise.
Damini asked me not to tell that she is in the kitchen. I kept my promise. said Malini.
Aruna said " I just want to surprise you, Is it a mistake? "
Damini said " I just want to surprise you is it a mistake?"
The three middle aged ladies burst into laughter. The young unmarried girls couldn't believe they they were so naughty. Vidisha asked them to eat together. Manjusha was serving them at the dining table. Vidisha took her canvas from car and fixed it in the Varsha's study. From there the view of the dining table was clear. They were eating joyfully. Love is sweeter than any dish. Friendship is the best form of love. Vidisha was quickly drawing them . Her hands are moving quickly across the canvas like the wipers on the car windshield.
When they finished the lunch and sat in the sofa Vidisha presented Aruna the colorful picture of their beautiful experience. Aruna as well as Malini and Damini enjoyed watching the wonder and the wonderful girl. Later Aruna heard a bouquet of wonderful stories of Vidisha, Lakuma, Kesava , Varasha. Arunatara went to the phone and made a call to District collector and the superintendent.
***
The furniture in the Sabbavaram police station is at sixes and sevens. The constables were licking wounds. The Sub-inspector recovered from the shock. He adjusted his dress and hair and saw Varsha and Kesava sitting at the writer's desk. " The villagers opened the cell and freed you why are you sitting on my face. Go away!" No sir , I have nothing to do with them. Tomorrow you might say that I have organized the attack. I don't want a fresh case again." Said Bharatavarsha.
The sub-inspector said" Nobody attacked the station. Who said that? " He looked at the constables setting tables, racks and chairs in order and asked " Did you see anybody attacking the station?" "No, sir" The constables responded.
Then how come the furniture is scattered like bits of paper? A strong male voice sounded at the entrance door of the police station. It was SP. The sub-Inspector came out and saluted. The constables were shocked. They said " Wind sir, stormy wind created a panic in the station. The SP ordered the SI to get Bairreddy to Ananadanilayam. He took Varsha and Kesava with him in his vehicle.
***
It was 5.00 PM. The sun was still there in the sky. The birds were chirping. Anandanilayam was full of people. District collector and his staff, SP of Police and his staff, Circle Inspector and Sub inspector with Bairreddy. Out side the compound wall there are two police jeeps, Collector's car a police car and some curious crowds. They gathered around at the compound wall and the entrance gate to see the Tamasha.
In side Anandanilayam there was a row of chairs in the front yard. The Memeber of Parliament Aruna and Vidisha were seated side by side. The district collector sat in the chair next to her. Seshachalam felt uncomfortable to sit beside the collector. The collector asked Seshachalam to sit in the chair. The superintendent of police sat next to him. The CI and SI of Police with Bairreddy in the centre stood in front of Vidisha.
Bharatavarsha , Kesava, Malini, Damini and Manjusha were standing behind row of chairs.
What is happening in this District? Can this District administration control crime against women? Arunatara questioned the District collector.
You have personally visited the victim's house. What is the progress in the case? The collector questioned the SP.
Soon we are closing the case sir. Said SP.
Mr. SP. Last year 30 percent of cases are pending. This is 50 percent of cases are pending. This shows the efficiency of your department. The collector commented bitterly but broadly
Aruna was direct "You could not solve the case leave alone the case, from the same bereaved family there is another victim bleeding before your eyes, you couldn't see, she knocking at your doors, you couldn't to hear. The police became blind and deaf.
The looked at the Circle Inspector "poor supervision of your stations and SHOs. Poor crime detection and control , gross negligence of duty " He threw a nasty look at Bairreddy who stood with folding hands." You are Bairreddy , where is your criminal brother Nagireddy?" He questioned Bairreddy. " Bairreddy bent his head , the SP looked at CI and repeated the same question " Where is Nagireddy? where is Nagireddy? Both must be arrested.
Aruna said to the SP. "You can't arrest the criminals because you collude with them. Do you know whom you can arrest ? You can arrest innocent people , )she showed Bharatavarsha and Kesava) and torture the victims. You can not do any justice to the people. The people know it well. That is why mob are taking law into their hands in this country. Do you know what had happened in the police station before you went there?
The SP looked at the CI . The CI looked at the SI. The SI stammered unclearly " Nothing, Nothing, Nothing had happened." The SP and CI have blank faces as they did not understand ,
Aruna looked into their dazed faces and said with a fierce voice " The mob attacked the Police station, thrashed the police and released the innocent man Varsha who stood by the victim and sought justice and Kesava who accompanied him. The SI has made law a puppet in the hands of the Rowdies.
The Collector and SP were shocked at the illegal arrests and mob attack on the station. They were speechless for a minute. The CI said " We have CC cameras in police station , we will identify them and take action"
Shut up! They neither did it furtively nor escaped. They made a video of it which they have already uploaded in the YouTube. That is the public feedback to your performance. The Prime Minister had directed that parameters should be laid down for grading police stations and assessing their performance based on feedback. The police stations will be given ranking based on the dedication and sincerity of police personnel to prevent and control crime and serve the nation. When a criminal can get into a victim's house and touch her in the presence of her parents what kind of people are you? When this innocent girl's mother was killed and the criminal move before her eyes but the police can not trace him. what kind of police are you?
The collector stood up and said "Take him into judicial custody. He saw tears in the eyes of Seshachalam. He was crying silently. Vidisha was wailing loudly. The collector and SP consoled her. The SP said that he dismissed the SI apologized for the loss and torture. Later he dragged Bairreddy to Vidisha. Vidisha slapped him on both sides. " Give my mother back to me, you mother less Godless man." She dug her hands into his face and cried helplessly. Aruna , Malini and Damini were consoling Vidisha.
Kesava did not cry he was angry he told the SP about how Bairreddy's men threw a stone at Varsha's head and how he bled in Maridu's incident. Bairreddy made a tearful apology to Bharatavarsha. Bharatavarsha relented but Kesava did not. He ordered Bairi to do sit-ups. Bairreddy did the sit-ups. The sun was sinking in the western hills.
***
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