“I said it for the guilt of my sins,” I said.
“My child. If you have regret for your misdeeds, strive to rectify it and not escape from it. That is true repentance,” my father said.
The prison staff entered. “Time up, please leave,” he said. My father hugged me and patted my back. I apologised and bid a tearful farewell and left.
‘I thanked Vivek Uncle and dropped him at Chharanagar. Meeting my father, sharing my reality, and his words of wisdom helped me survive. I desired to meet Hamid Saheb and visited his house. The security men sought permission, and he called me in. The MLA sat on the leather sofa in his living room. Few people, including the media men, surrounded him. I hesitated to go in, but he recognised me.
“Come in,” he said and gestured to me to sit beside him. He invited a Chhara inside his living room and offered him a chair next to him? I greeted him. He bent towards me and whispered, “What do you want?”
“Apology, Saheb. I fell prey to those scoundrels. Please forgive me and help my father’s release,” I said with folded hands. He asked me to wait in another room. In a few minutes, he came there and sat beside me.
“You destroyed innocent and poor people, Vicky.”
I joined my palms and put my head down. “I regret it, Saheb. Please forgive me. I’ll do whatever you say, but please free my father.”
‘He blinked and asked, “Will you expose their slaughter plan to the media?”
“Yes, I will.”
“Okay. Come after two days. I’ll arrange for your father’s discharge. You share details to the media men here in my house and return with your father. Done?” he asked. I gazed at him.
“Done,” I said, as tears of joy erupted. I shed a few more tears in respect for that kind man, who despite my wrongdoings supported me. “Thank you, Saheb,” I said and left.
‘I compiled carnage information from the documents. Materials procurement, payment vouchers to rioters, recordings of leaders’ provocative speeches, slaughter tapes, police shooing away the victims and supporting the mob to execute the crimes, etc. I also picked up the cash bundles of Rs. 5 lakhs paid as my share.
‘The day arrived, and I geared up for the interview. I reached the MLA’s bungalow by 9 am. The security guided me into the living room. Hamid Saheb patted my back, gripped my upper arms and cheered me. I greeted the gathering. The media representatives of three leading channels rolled out their cameras.
“Everybody wants peace, and nobody supports killing. Only an educated man understands that every disturbance in our country is politically motivated. Likewise, this bloodbath was played out in the guise of public outburst over the coach burning. He is Vikram Chhara whom the Veer Dal outfit brainwashed.” The MLA addressed them. “The VD promised to acquit his imprisoned father and allot the Naroda Patia properties to his community. And manipulated him to destroy it. He’ll reveal the reality. I request you to film him, and show the truth to the nation,“ said Hamid Saheb and invited me to speak.
“Where’s my father, Saheb?” I whispered.
“Oh, yes. Sorry, wait.” He signalled his associate who brought in my father. I put my palm on my heart. My stomach sank, and tears streamed. “Here’s your father. He is free. Happy now?” he asked.
‘The men began filming. I wiped my face and fell at the MLA’s feet and thanked him. They made my father sit on a chair. The media men gaped as I showed the details and shared the copies. I admitted my participation as my worst mistake and expressed my regret. I also begged forgiveness from the carnage victims and finished my interview.
‘The media men asked many questions. Why did I disclose it? Was it due to a payment dispute? Who provoked the disclosure? Was I not scared of the titans? What if they harmed my family? And so on. The MLA intervened and ended the meeting. He arranged for his men to drop us home in a car. I thanked him and left with my father.’
Chapter—20
End of my World
‘At Chharanagar, everyone welcomed my father. I switched on the TV and gaped at the screen, and briefed my father about the press interview. He revealed a secret. The prison staff informed him of his conviction in four offences, and not the jewellery theft. I understood the police‘s game. I promised him not to harm anyone, but vowed to destroy whoever would hurt me or my loved ones.
‘At noon, my mother served us lunch. I wondered why the sensational piece of revelation wasn’t aired yet. I wished to meet the MLA, but my father disapproved.
‘A knock on my door jolted me. I opened it. A stranger stood outside. “Hello, Vikram. Hamid Saheb has summoned you right away. You must hide along with your parents for a few days. Come at once.”
“What? Why?”
“People involved in this are tyrants. They have suppressed your interview and might harm you. Come fast and meet Hamid Saheb. Keep this number in case you need any help,” he said and handed me a chit.
‘Damn it. I clutched my collar and stared at him. “Quick,” he said. I conveyed the instructions to my father and sought his permission to leave. The guy had a motorcycle. I rode pillion with him. He drove till we reached the MLA’s bungalow and he stopped in front of the gate. “Rush in,” he said.
I galloped towards the security man. He greeted me, opened the gate, and asked, “What brings you here? Saheb is not at home.”
“What? But he called me here. He sent a person to pick me up,” I said, and turned to the man. ‘Before I could say anything, the biker zoomed off. I gazed at him, tapping my fist on my mouth. Who would do that, and why? Negative thoughts flooded my mind. With a cracked voice, I inquired with the guard if he knew the man. He shook his head. I requested him to contact the MLA. He dialled the number and spoke into the phone, “Saheb, Vicky wants to speak to you,” he said and gave me the phone.
“Saheb, Vicky here. Saheb, a man brought me here using your name. He dropped me and fled. What’s happening, Saheb?”
“What? Ya Allah. Vicky, devils are playing dirty games. They have forced the media houses to discard your carnage interview telecast. Rush back home and shift your parents to my home. We will plan your safety. Give the phone to the guard; I’ll arrange company for you.”
“Okay, Saheb.”
The security man spoke and disconnected. “Abhishekbhai,” he yelled. A young man came out. “Saheb has ordered you to bring his family here urgently.”
“Okay,” said Abhishek and skipped out.
He asked me to ride pillion on his motorcycle and raced at super-speed to Chharanagar. I jumped and sprinted in, and Abhishek followed. A crowd had assembled outside my house. Women were howling. They sighted me and cried louder, beating their chests. My heart beat faster. I moved them aside and darted towards my house. And peeped in. Inside, my parents lay motionless in a pool of blood. Pain jabbed me all over. My world ended.
‘I understand your sufferings. Accept my condolences,’ said Zaheer.
‘I froze at the entrance, staring at the dead bodies. People wailed. The womenfolk surrounded me, beating their chests and head, and lamented. A lady held my right hand and another, my left. One neighbour grabbed my right leg and one my left, and another banged her head on my back. The cries of “They are gone, Vicky” and “We have lost the best of human beings” echoed over and over again. Karma says you will reap what you sow, but does it boomerang so soon? A few days back, I played a game of blood and death with innocents, and now, here, I was witnessing my own parents, lying dead, bathed in their own blood. Clothes and utensils lay scattered. Through the mess, I trudged near to the bodies. The kitchen knife splattered in blood lay beside them. Their necks were sliced; and clasping each other’s hand, my parents had been put to sleep forever. I fell on my knees. I broke down and screeched in pain that shook Chharanagar. There was no respite.
‘Abhishek knelt and grabbed my upper arm. I clutched my collar. He called up Hamid Saheb, who instructed to bring me to him at once. The MLA said he’ll send protection and ordered him to stay with me amidst the crowd. I wailed. T
hough Chharas don’t live a respectful life, my parents deserved a respectable death.
‘Six more armed associates reached there and met Abhishek. He whispered, “Collect your stuff. We must leave right away.”
‘I stuffed cash, documents, tapes, and a pair of clothes in my backpack and came out. Vivek Uncle arrived. He hugged me and cried. I sobbed until others separated us.
“Let us move,” Abhishek mumbled.
‘My mind was conflicted. Whom should I trust? Who hunted for my life? The VD outfit? Somebody from my tribe? Guddu? Or MLA Hamid? On one side lay my parents’ dead bodies, and on the other, I had my life at stake. Abhishek pressurised me to leave. I stopped him.
“Please wait. Let me understand what happened here. Who killed my parents, and why?”
‘I announced to the crowd. “Any witness here? Anyone sighted anybody? How and when you discovered the murder?”
‘A man wiped his tears and raised his hand. “Vicky, my son, I have information. My grandson, while excreting near your house, saw four masked men enter your house. Two men dragged out your parents and held them; the other two ransacked your house. Your parents overpowered them and dashed inside. The men followed them. Struggles continued and later subsided. The men came out. The one who led the group spotted my grandchild and said, ‘Inform your Vicky to return our documents. Tell him to be thankful that his media interview was discarded. Else, we would have burnt the whole Chharanagar.’ And they disappeared. My grandson scuttled home and narrated the incident to me. I galloped towards your house and...,” he said and cried. The crowd joined in the moaning.
‘I gritted my teeth and puffed. I’ll not spare them. At noon, I had clarified with my father to destroy the one who hurt me or my beloved ones. Whosoever murdered them had bad luck.
‘I remembered a paper chit given to me with a contact number. I borrowed Abhishek’s mobile and dialled.
“Hello,” said a voice.
“Who’s this?” I asked.
“You called. You say.”
“I am Vikram... Vikram Chhara.”
“You lost your parents because of your blunder, Vicky,” said a voice.
“Who are you?”
“I pity your father. You freed him forever.”
“Sisterfucker. Who are you?”
“Hare Ram, Hare Ram. How can you forget me? Sunil... Sunil Thakur. You bloody scum.”
‘I shut my eyes and gritted my teeth. “Bastard. You killed my parents?”
“The men came for our documents, they interfered. Pig, you know our strength yet you undermined the consequences of rebellion? You dared to steal proofs and expose us before the media, huh? And you think you can survive? I had warned you, didn’t I? Surrender the pieces of evidence; else, we’ll dispatch you from this world.”
“No man on earth can control Vikram Chhara’s life and death. Listen, you bastard. I challenge you. If you are born of one father, come to Chharanagar; come right now, I’ll wait for you. Else you select a place, and I’ll come there.”
“O Vicky, I am not stupid. I cannot defeat you in a brawl. And I don’t fight face-to-face, darling. I attack with my mind. You remember how I killed you by destroying your beliefs and values? You are a living dead body now, and I’ll now erase you soon, with my mind. Be ready to die. Your time starts now,” he said and disconnected.
‘The VD was after me. I possessed proof of their horrendous activities. But I wasn’t afraid. There was no reason to be. They should have controlled me through my parents. How foolish were my enemies to eliminate them? Their death freed me from my weakness. I could face society and the world, my way.
‘I handed the phone and requested Abhishek to proceed.
‘I spoke to our leader. “I need to go into hiding. I’ll miss my parents’ funeral. Please organise a respectable ‘Besana’ for them.” Vivek Uncle assured me he would.’
‘Oh. What happened next?’
‘The police arrived and pushed away everyone. They cordoned the surrounding and began their formalities. I sneaked out and left with Abhishek and his associates. I slumped in the centre seat of Maruti van, covered by them from all sides.
‘The car jerked out, leaving a dusty cloud. Barking dogs followed until the lane-end. Outside Chharanagar, a gunshot hit our car. We bent down, and the men shielded me. A Chhara’s life has no value, but there, six men protected me. More gunshots rained on the car, and one broke the pane. The MLA’s team retaliated at the assailants who chased us on a motorbike. One bullet punctured their rear wheel. The chase stopped. We reached the bungalow, and they escorted me in.
‘Hamid Saheb received me at the door. He offered condolences and promised his best support. I sheltered in his driver’s room under his protection, and he arranged for my requirements. Unfortunate me; I missed my parents’ funeral. Hamid Saheb restricted me for my safety.
‘VD subsided the news of my parents’ murder as dies in the communal clash.
Praveenbhai called me.
“Are you better now, Vikram?”
I burst out in tears. “Saheb, they killed my parents.”
“What?” He asked and I snivelled. “When? How? Why?”
‘I briefed him. “I am heartbroken, Vikram. I pray for their peace. Please do not revolt against the powerhouse. Control yourself,” he said. I wiped my nose and sniffed. “Come to me. You need a counsel,” he said.
“Hamid Saheb has sheltered me.”
“Better stay there and take care. Have patience. The dark phase will pass,” he said, and encouraged me to focus on my life.
‘At the MLA’s bungalow, I planned my next move. Hamid Saheb suggested shifting out of Gujarat.
“You are like a father to me, Saheb. I’ll accept your advice. But I must settle a few accounts. Please allow me time.”
“I would suggest you keep your account book aside, Vikram. Focus on your future. Avoid any trouble where I could be helpless.”
“Vikram Chhara will never be a burden on anyone, Saheb. I promise you.”
“Okay. Take care,” he said and left.
‘I spent every moment planning. I competed with the clock, to teach Sunil a lesson and migrate. With your permission, I borrow your words, Zaheer. Shift out of Ahmedabad, in search of peace, in my own country.
‘The whole night, I remained engrossed with detailing. I remembered what Sunil had said over the phone. He would kill me with his mind, and I liked his attitude and strategy. I vowed to prove the intelligence of a Chhara. I could slice a throat with ease, but undercover killing is challenging. Yet, I accepted it. With Rs 5 lakh riot payment, money wasn’t an issue.’
Chapter—21
The Revenge
‘The next day, when I woke up, the idea had blossomed. I stepped into the bathroom. To avoid identification at first glance, I changed my facial features. I cut my hair short, trimmed my eyebrows, and shaved my stubble and moustache. I mixed a few black coloured chalk pieces with water and brushed my face and neck to darken my complexion. People in the MLA’s house gazed at my makeover. Time to execute my plan. I left the MLA’s bungalow, hired an auto-rickshaw and headed to Relief Road—Ahmedabad’s popular street to avail sexual services. I knew the process because of VD’s flesh trade operation. Of many direct and indirect sources to hire a girl, the arrangement through Relief Road was a safe bet. I circled the spot where customers parked their bikes and waited for agents. Due to the riots, I found none. At 1 pm, an old man named Rakesh, a regular and well-known agent, approached me.
“Jowe che, Baka?” he whispered.
“How much?” I asked.
“Rs. 200.”
“Nah. Not local. My boss has sent me. He needs a top-class girl for an important client tonight. Discreet service with a five-star hotel room,” I said.
“Oh, OK. You want the cream with the room. Mali jashe.” He pulled me aside. “Price Rs 22,500; 22,000 for the girl, including the accommodation, and 500 as my commission. No negotiation, but guaranteed satisfaction,” said Rakeshbhai.
“Hotel must be Taj Ummed,” I said.
“Taj or Le Meridien,” he said.
“No. I need Taj.” He agreed. “Done. Show me the photographs, and I’ll choose the girl.”
“Why photograph, sir? I’ll take you to them. You scan them and select.”
“No, I must join my boss for urgent work. I’ll pick one from the pictures. I trust you,” I said, to maintain secrecy.
“Okay. Wait here, and I’ll return soon.” He brought in a well-dressed and a well-mannered pimp. “Saheb, he is Harishbhai. He will show you the images.”
“Hello.” Harishbhai greeted and handed me four photographs.
“This one. Fix her.” I selected a girl. “I’ll pay your 500 commission, plus Rs. 5000 in advance. Book and confirm the room number now. Balance...”
“No, sir.” Harishbhai interrupted. “Give me Rs 12500 now. Remaining 10000/- you pay her at the hotel.”
I accepted. “The client is renowned. Please maintain secrecy,” I said.
“Arey, sir. This is my bread and butter. I serve only high-profile clients,” Harishbhai said.
“Contact me anytime for your requirement.” Rakeshbhai started verbal marketing of his flesh trade services.
“My boss is waiting.” I made my excuses to cut him short and sought the hotel room confirmation. They proceeded for room reservation and returned.
“Room number 415, Saheb. The girl will wait there. Inform your client,” said Rakeshbhai. He asked for the advance, and I paid. Harishbhai counted and pocketed it.
“Listen, Harishbhai. You call the girl, and I’ll give her my client’s mobile number and the code.”
‘Harishbhai dialled. “Madam, a customer has hired your service tonight for his company’s high-profile client. You note down the contact number and the code, and speak to him,” he said and gave me the phone.
The Branded Criminal: In Search of Liberation Page 16
