"The Fugitives"

By Moumita Boral (Mits)

“I will not spare you this time. Who do you think you are?” echoed the voice of Rathod in the police station of Rajdara. The culprit, Chaya Singh, as usual, was taking all the scolding’s with a bowed head. Chaya (meaning 'shadow' in Hindi) was kind of a symbolic name of the culprit because no one knew his real name or whereabouts in Rajdara or its neighboring villages. But everyone knew about one thing: whenever there was any burglary, robbery, or bank loot in the village and its surroundings, the name of Chaya Singh always came into the forefront.

Be it robbing some rich people of the village or looting the bank or robbing some wealthy travelers – the modus operandi of Chaya Singh and his accomplices was done very stealthily. They never robbed anything at a stretch (maybe once in 6 months or a year), but they were never caught, and no evidence could be found against them. This was during the mid-80s when the technology was not very advanced and it was becoming increasingly difficult to catch them. However, Chaya and his gang would never resort to violence, like killing or injuring anyone. 

Chaya Singh was sort of like “Macavity the mystery cat”, who broke the laws of gravity, and whenever one reaches the scene of the crime, Chaya Singh simply disappears. He was also a sort of “modern-day Robin Hood” who would help the poor and downtrodden around the village. So whenever he would get caught, the mob of villagers would gherao the police station and do everything to destroy any evidence against the culprit.

No one knew how many accomplices Chaya Singh actually had. Hypothetically, 3 members including him. Two men and one woman. It was heard that the woman would work in the households around Rajdara and the neighboring villages, while the other male members were into some odd jobs around the area. But no one was sure about their true whereabouts. 

One day something broke the calmness of the small village of Rajdara. It was a beautiful village, nestled among the water brooks and lush greenery. A rich businessman from Mumbai came to Rajdara for conducting his son’s wedding. He wanted to carry out a destination wedding for his son. There was a lot of excitement, and the small town of Rajdara was bustling with activity. Since the businessman had a political connection, an endless procession of cars rolled into the town, heralding a wave of activity.

A designer-crafted altar or mandap that blended Indian heritage with contemporary aesthetics was built for the wedding. Many local houses were converted into luxurious settings for the guests to stay. It was overall a magnificent setting that dazzled the eyes of everyone around Rajdara and its neighboring villages. Of course, high-level security was created, and Rathod was in charge of all security arrangements. Vikram Singh Rathod, one of the top high-intelligence officers in the CBI, was known for handling complex cases. With the surge of robbery and burglary in Rajdara, Rathod was posted to capture the mastermind, Chaya Singh.

Rathod and his team were extremely vigilant during the entire wedding celebrations. They worked in tandem with some local youth who were employed around the wedding procession without any uniform. They gathered some trusted informants within the criminal circles to help identify suspects. Many so-called suspects were followed by the cops who were dressed as villagers. Patterns in crime were studied, like the timing and execution style in previous cases. Handwritings, fingerprints, footprints, tool marks, and any other physical clue were manually analyzed. A small team of forensic experts in the guise of wedding guests was placed in a room.

It was a week-long celebration. Indian weddings usually are with a lot of fanfare and traditions. The venue was decked with colorful flowers and adorned with exquisite artefacts. There was laughter echoing across the venue, and children were playing jubilantly all around. The aroma of food was all through the venue. The wedding took place amidst all the fun and gaiety. The ladies were adorned in colorful apparel and exquisite jewelry. Everything took place very smoothly. On the 6th day, many guests started leaving the venue. Even the bride and groom left for their honeymoon. Some family members and friends of the rich businessman stayed around, as they wanted to enjoy the beautiful serenity of Rajdara for a few more days.

On the 7th night, as everyone went to sleep, everything seemed peaceful and tranquil. During the midnight, there was a huge storm and rain. In the morning, as everyone gathered to have breakfast, there was a hue and cry in the wedding venue. The businessman’s wife raised a storm because her jewelry worth crores and a very large sum of money had disappeared. There was a huge rush in the venue. Rathod and his team just sprang up. All the workers – the cook, cleaners, decorators, and gardeners – were stopped from going out of the venue. The wedding caterers were also summoned. During the search, one of the cooks and the server were missing. It was found out that they were recruited only 2 months prior to this big wedding.

Rathod jumped with his search like a ravaging bull. With a lot of searching, Chaya Singh was caught at the local liquor shop. Surprisingly, he didn’t even resist when the police caught him. Rathod caught him and beat him mercilessly. Repeating sentences like “Who do you think you are?” “How did you break in?” and “Where are your accomplices?” among other scoldings. Chaya Singh maintained a stoic silence amidst all the chaos. Not even once did he blink his eyelid. A case was registered, and he was put up in the prison of Rajdara and was to be presented in the high court of New Delhi. 

Rathod was extremely surprised by the stoic attitude of this man, and a part of his mind was kind of admiring his courage. He felt that a man of Chaya’s intelligence would have done wonders as a cop, but it’s unfortunate that he chose the path of crime.

All of a sudden there was chaos outside the police station. The villagers whom this “Indian Robin Hood” used to help started creating a ruckus outside to release Chaya. Rathod was falling short of men to tackle them. Everywhere there was screaming and screeching, and the peaceful town of Rajdara suddenly turned into some military hotspot. Suddenly, Jai, one of the cops working with Rathod, rushed outside screaming, “Sir, where is Chaya Singh?”

Everyone rushed to the prison cell; the blanket was used as a rope, and the ventilator was broken, and Chaya Singh stealthily climbed out of the prison cell.

20 years passed since this incident: Year 2007 

Rathod has retired and was living with his family in Poona. He received a lot of accolades during his years of service as a cop. But the robbery incident in Rajdara and the fugitive Chaya Singh still lingered in his mind. It was this failure that he could not shake off from his illustrious career. He was often called to give lectures to newly recruited cops or at the army headquarters to motivate the new cops or soldiers. At times, he visited colleges and universities to lecture young minds, and even after retirement, the CBI would at times consult him regarding any complex crime issues.

Once during his visit to attend the convocation ceremony at Mumbai University, he was invited for dinner by Jai, one of his old friends and colleagues. During dinner at Jai’s place, discussions were on about some criminal activities in the city. One particular case of business-related scams particularly intrigued Rathod. Numerous cases of deceptive real estate sales, like the same property being sold to multiple buyers, using counterfeit ownership documents to fool the buyers, selling disputed or unauthorized land, promising amenities but never delivering them, irregularities in awarding contracts and land deals, and creating fake bank accounts to fool investors, among others. It seemed as if some organized racket of a gang was behind these surges of financial crimes.

Jai mentioned that this gush of financial crimes has been taking place for the past 5 years, and it is being done in such an organized manner that it is becoming extremely difficult to catch hold of the culprits. The fake bank accounts are being created in the name of some poor rustic villagers who are not even aware that they have a bank account. Rathod’s mind was extremely boggled by hearing all the modus operandi of the cases.

While they were talking, the attender came with an invitation card to Jai. It was an invitation at “Mehta Palace” to Jai. 

“Dear Mr. Jai, it will be an honor, if you join us for lunch at our Mehta Palace tomorrow to celebrate the milestone of YASHIRA FOUNDATION. What began as a mission to serve the underserved has blossomed into a thriving community hub, where talent and resilience shine. Please spare us your precious time and motivate our employees with your inspirational journey. Regards, Yash Mehta.” 

“Rathod Sir, if you have no prior commitments, then please can you stay back tonight in Mumbai,” exclaimed Jai. “Why” – Rathod asked. “I would like to take you to the YASHIRA Foundation tomorrow, I just got an invitation to attend some milestone achievement of their foundation tomorrow,” remarked Jai. 

“I have heard of YASHIRA GROUP,” claimed Rathod. Yes, “they are a prominent business family, led by Mr. Yash Mehta, a real-estate tycoon. He manages the group with the help of his two sons Rishi and Veer, and his brother Arnav,” said Jai. 

“They also run a charitable company called YASHIRA Foundation, for the disabled, where they learn various skills like coding, using computers for accounting operations, creating Braille curriculum for educational institutions, among others. For the past 2-3 years, it has become a very productive organization and is bringing-in revenue for the Mehta Group,” said Jai. “The foundation is being run by Yash Mehta’s wife Ira Mehta and is supported extensively by her daughters-in-law, Diya and Leena, wives of Rishi and Veer.”

Rathod was pondering in his mind. The spate of financial crimes in Mumbai had kind of interested him, and he thought that there is no harm in meeting someone new, and moreover, he had heard about YASHIRA GROUP and thought it’s good to meet the head honchos of the organization once.

The next day Rathod went with Jai to Mehta Palace, where a huge party with luncheon was held. The atmosphere was calm and energetic at the same time, and there were press, media, businessmen, and of course the disabled employees of the YASHIRA Foundation, who held much prominence during the celebration.

“I am so glad that you could come Jai Sir,” remarked Yash Mehta. A silver-haired and impeccably dressed man in a tailored suit, he was a gracious gentleman with an effortless charm and carried an aura of someone who understood the value of wisdom and grace. 

“It is my pleasure Mr. Mehta, I would like you meet my friend, mentor, and a senior colleague from whom I learnt a lot, Mr. Vikram Singh Rathod or as I like to call him, Rathod Sir,” said Jai. “Oh it is a great pleasure Mr. Rathod, I am so glad that you also could join us in celebrating our foundation achievements,” said Yash Mehta to Rathod.

Rathod smiled and sat at one place. He was fascinated by the surroundings. Nestled within the sprawling emerald lawns of a palatial estate, the grandeur of the venue had an exquisite balance of sophistication and warmth. Soft pastel drapes fluttered gently in the breeze, framing the garden’s natural beauty without overwhelming it. Fresh flowers—roses, lilies, and marigolds—were arranged in low, artful clusters across tables and walkways, their fragrance mingling with the scent of freshly cut grass. Curated background music designed to soothe and uplift, allowing conversation to flow easily, and a lavish buffet thoughtfully arranged under shaded canopies. Refreshing beverages were served in crystal glasses, clinking softly in celebration.

Yet, beneath the surface of this perfection, something felt... off. All the members of the Mehta family were extremely elegant and attended to the needs of everyone personally during the party. But conversations, though polite, felt rehearsed—like actors reading lines at a dress rehearsal. Smiles were plentiful but rarely reached the eyes. Rathod was closely observing everyone at the party, especially the hosts. Yash Mehta personally came and requested him to try a few food items from the lavish spread. But something felt like a riddle that was unexplained.

“You were extremely silent during the whole party, even when we were returning home. Is everything alright, sir?” asked Jai. Rathod replied in the affirmative that everything was fine, but his mind was bothered after the party. Although he had planned to leave for Poona after the party, he stayed back in Mumbai at Jai’s house. 

“Jai “I have a request to make, but for now it should remain between us,” mentioned Rathod. “Sure, Sir, what is it about?” asked Jai. Rathod said that he wanted few details about lower-income group people who, till a few years ago, all of a sudden started becoming well-off, and it is being noticeable in the society. Although Mumbai is a big city, and searching for such information was a Herculean task. But there was something in Rathod’s voice that felt familiar to Jai, and he assured him he would carry out his work. “I have a list of informers that I will share with you, and you also use your own network to gather information, but make sure that it is done with utmost discretion. And please don’t ask me now why I am telling you to do this, but rest assured I will tell you in a few days,” said Rathod. “Don’t worry, sir, I will carry out your task immediately,” said Jai.

Midnight at Mehta Palace – 2 AM

Venue: The basement of the Mehta palace. Dimly lit. A huge bed was in the middle of the basement and a few chairs around. Ira, Diya, Leena, and Arnav were sitting on the bed, while Yash, Rishi, and Veer were sitting on the chairs. Everyone seemed to be in a solemn mood. 

“Do you think Rathod recognized us?” quipped Arnav. “He has only seen my face and not others, remember,” remarked Yash. “I was always the face of the crime and ensured that none of you should ever get entangled with the police, especially Rathod,” claimed Yash, alias Chaya Singh. 

“We should have got rid of him in Rajdara itself, when we robbed the rich businessman during his son’s wedding,” remarked Ira. 

“I never kill people or injure them, and remember you are just a member of this gang and not my actual wife,” scoffed Chaya Singh. 

Ira frowned at this statement. Years ago, she was tempted by Chaya Singh to earn fast money and live a life of luxury. So she joined Chaya Singh and Arnav, leaving her husband behind. But at times she regretted the inconsistency and continuous threat to her life. But now there was no way to do anything. Diya, Leena, Rishi, and Veer were petty thieves who had no qualms about anything in life, as long as they were able to get money. 

Veer and Leena were also big-time kleptomaniacs and had absolutely no morals. Arnav was the actual ally of Chaya Singh, the brain behind many of his robberies and at present carrying out the numerous financial scams in the city. 

“Anyway, we should all be on guard now,” quipped Arnav. “Yes, we do not know if Rathod recognized me, but it is better we slow our activities now for at least some days and focus only on our work on the foundation for the disabled. Other offices should run in a very offbeat manner,” said Yash Mehta/Chaya Singh.

 "Both of you – Veer and Leena – need to control your urge to steal. Last time, I had to take tough measures to convince the manager at Akbaally’s the other day and tell him that you both did not steal any jewelry or the expensive leather jacket,” scoffed Arnav.

“Anyway, it’s better we maintain a low profile now. As far as I know, Rathod, I feel he could recognize me, so let us ensure utmost vigilance and secrecy. He won’t sit idle. Avoid going to clubs and bars for some time,” remarked Chaya Singh. 

2 months later at Jai’s House

Both Rathod and Jai were in the study, looking at some images on the computer. Some documents were laid on the table along with teacups. 

“Sir these are some of the people who used to live in dire conditions in the city, a few them were migrant homeless labourers, who would work on day-to-day wages. All of a sudden, they became quite well-off, having swanky apartments and other privileges,” claimed Jai.

“That’s great” said Rathod. “What else did you find?”

“It is interesting to note that most of their money came through the YASHIRA Foundation, where the disabled people are working. The sender is sending money through a different account from the foundation. And at times, the money is going to the account directly from YASHIRA Group, in the name of Ira Mehta,” said Jai.

“And one more thing, sir,” said Jai, “I often found the elder son of Yash Mehta, Rishi Mehta, very reclusive. He would never come in front of the media. The other day, when we went to the party at Mehta Palace, I saw him face-to-face for the first time. I found his face very familiar. While browsing through some old files, I saw the photo of Raghav. He used to be a petty pickpocket and thief. There is a striking resemblance to both of them,” quipped Jai excitedly.

“Also, one of the managers at the Akbaally’s store happens to be a friend of mine. He mentioned that something is fishy about one of his colleagues, who has recently been making quite a lot of money,” said Jai. “When did this exactly start happening?” asked Rathod. “From the past 6 months. It seems Arnav (the brother of Yash Mehta) came to meet him personally, but what transpired between them is not clear, but this colleague of my friend definitely started living an exorbitant lifestyle,” said Jai. 

“When I prodded one of the junior staff, he mentioned that the younger son and daughter-in-law of Yash Mehta, Veer and Leena, were found stealing a few things from the store. Since they are from prominent business families in the city, no one took any step, and the camera that caught them stealing was missing,” remarked Jai. 

“I am not a bit surprised, Jai,” said Rathod. “This Yash Mehta is ‘Chaya Singh’, the fugitive whom we lost 20 years ago in Rajdara. He has conveniently built up an empire with thugs and petty thieves, whom he is calling family, and is running a scam and fraudulent business, and unfortunately he has taken advantage of poor, downtrodden, and disabled people of our society,” said Rathod pensively.

“I am sure that Ira Mehta is not his wife, and what is the name of that other daughter-in-law, Diya… something, she also must be having some crooked background,” remarked Rathod. 

While they were discussing, news flashed on the television about some terrorist attack at one of the prominent marketing joints of Mumbai. Jai was called immediately to visit the ground-zero area of the attack. 

After a few hours, Jai returned and told Rathod that the terrorist had been caught. He used to be a petty thief who got indoctrinated by some radical groups. “You won’t believe it, sir; while browsing through his bank accounts, the police found that during his initial days as a petty thief, he was funded by the YASHIRA Group to carry out one of the real estate scams. Many people had lost money in that scam wherein the same property was sold to multiple clients,” mentioned Jai. 

“Now things have really gone out of hand, Jai. Robbery or theft can still be excused, but when so many people lose their lives in a terrorist attack because of a few scammers, they cannot be spared,” said an agitated Rathod. 

While they started for the police station, they were in for a surprise when Ira Mehta walked through the door. “Sir, I want to talk,” she said. 

“Rathod Sir, Yash Mehta is the Chaya Singh you are looking for. He was instrumental in the robbery and burglary cases in Rajdara and its neighboring towns and villages. I used to be a simple housewife, but the greed got the better of me, and I got enticed to lead a life of wealth. Chaya Singh used to be my neighbor. He played on my weakness. Both he and Arnav were childhood friends and partners-in-crime; they convinced me to get into this world of crime to earn more money. My husband was aghast, but he loved me so much that he never ratted me out to the police even when I left him to join Chaya.”

“Initially, Chaya used to be a man of morals. He would genuinely help the poor villagers around our town. But after the robbery at the rich businessman’s house during his son’s wedding, Chaya Singh became very bold. He knew that you were after him, so he bribed one of the members of your team, and with the help of Arnav, he could break out from the prison. After coming to Mumbai, he started expanding his network of scams. He built a fake family and got hold of Rishi, Veer, Diya, and Leena, who were small-time crooks and petty thieves. Chaya started real estate scams like selling disputed or unauthorized land, using counterfeit documents, and creating fake bank accounts, among others. He is taking advantage of the poor disabled people at the YASHIRA Foundation to help him carry out his scams, and they are not even aware of it. However, many of his employees at the YASHIRA Group are aware of his scam and fraud activities, and either willingly or out of compulsion, they are doing this. Today, the terrorist attack has rattled my soul. When Chaya was giving money to this terrorist (when he used to be a petty thief), I had begged him not to do so, because there was something about him that I found creepy. But Chaya never listened to me. Sir, I regret everything. I regret leaving my husband, who, I’ve heard, never remarried. My greed destroyed both our lives. I deserve whatever punishment awaits me.” With that, Ira broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Dadar Police Station Mumbai at midnight. 

"The fugitives, including Chaya Singh/Yash Mehta, stood silently in the police station, shackles clamped around their wrists, heads lowered in defeat."

“What were you thinking Chaya Singh or Yash Mehta that you will continue deceiving people and never get caught?” shouted Rathod at the fugitive. 

“Chaya means shadow, sir, and shadows never get caught.” Saying this, a foam appeared in the mouth of Chaya, and he fell on the ground.………..

By Moumita Boral (Mits)