Writer: Kaalan

Chapter 10: Killer on prowl

          Raghu planned to stay with Sangeetha for next two or three months. Raghu’s friends returned to Chennai at 4 am in the early morning. Chennai was swept away, there were no people roaming around. Only people who got down from out station buses are seen here and there. They are also moving fast and taking up auto or taxi immediately as they avoid walking or waiting for the government bus. The Psycho killer made an impact in Chennai people’s mind set.

Morning 4.30 AM…

          Dhana was standing in front of Pradap’s apartment at vadapalani. There was a dead body wrapped in black cover on the pavement. The Forensics department and photographers were busy doing their work.

“Sir, what happened” Pradap asked Dhana once he neared the apartment. Pradap was stunned to see the dead body in front of his apartment.

“Another homicide, I have been trying to stop such an incident but police force is not enough, he also got smashed in head” Dhana said in a sad tone as he needed someone to tell his frustration.

“Wanna grab a tea” Pradap asked as he was carrying a milk pocket.

“Sure, if it won’t bother you” Dhana said

“Why is it happening sir. First Sundeep’s apartment watchman was killed and now my apartment watchman. Is it related?” Pradap asked in a serious tone.

“There are no valuables lost in my home” Pradap said as he checked it as first thing once he entered the house.

Pradap turned so serious after seeing a dead body that he used to talk on a daily basis and smiling along with him. The thought of man no longer being alive kept ceasing him. Pradap was tired of losing people.

“I am not sure, we need to catch him” Dhana said.

“Let me talk to my dad” Pradap said.

Pradap’s dad is a big shark in Chennai, his words have power to make anything work. Pradap informed his friends and they were quite shocked.

The horror spread like a wildfire in Chennai, most of the guards have been reassigned their jobs. Even the Security Services Company faced shortage of human resources. Pradap has filed a strong complaint on watch man karuppazhagi homicide.

Police higher officials were working super-fast for next two days but again police forces were rolled back after two days as no homicide was reported which made Dhana to get pissed off to a certain extent.

Pradap and Durga met on July 12, 2008 evening at 4 pm on marina beach.

 “This is where we started” Durga said.

“Started what” Pradap asked.

“Our friendship” Durga said with a poker face and turned away in anger.

“I want to tell something” Pradap asked.

Durga smiled as if she knew what Pradap was going to tell and she said to proceed.

“Can I be involved in a serial killer case” Pradap asked.

 “Don’t you have anything else to tell” Durga asked.

“Nothing” Pradap said.

“Okay, let’s go” Durga said and returned towards the road and marched fast.

“Hey wait, I missed you so much, I want to date you” Pradap said and smiled.

Durga smiled and turned “What suddenly”

“Stop this melodrama, you are not a typical girl, I know” Pradap said.

“I thought you loved me” Durga said.

“All of sudden, commitment would be a bad decision, let’s hangout for some time then we can decide” Pradap said and extended his hand for a shake.

Durga slapped his hand away and hugged him tight.

Being happy and relaxed became a whammy in Dhana’s life.

July 13, 2008 3.30 AM…

Mani, a rag picker in porur to guindy road found dead with blood dripping from his nose and ears

July 14, 2008 4 AM…

Unidentified man burnt to death.

July 17, 2008 4AM…

Baasha is a security guard. Found dead in the same pattern as Karuppazhagi.

Serial killing brought a topic in Tamizhnadu assembly meeting, pressure built on the police department.  Higher officials were forced to form a special team.

Sekar, Chennai city police commissioner, formed a team led by Dhana.

Dhana implemented a huge police force and executed a plan like he wanted from the beginning of the case. Vadapalani and its surroundings have been alerted, night activities have been totally banned. Durga and Pradap are also involved in the patrol.

July 21, 2008 3.30 AM…

          It was the time for milk products, vegetables, fruits and flowers stock delivery.

“Sir, killer is not in action for more than four days, will the killer be active again” Pradap asked.

“Killer can’t sustain calm for a long time. Killing just became a hobby for this killer. Psycho killer will have a plan for this and his blind confidence will turn him down. Let’s wait and see” Dhana said.

Durga hasn’t seen the normal Dhana in recent days, he became silent and cold.

“I badly want it to be over” Durga said.

“Either me” Dhana said.

Walkie talkie started to beep and a screeching radio sound popped out with a message, there has been a homicide reported at koyambedu market.

“Oh shit” Dhana said and threw his mobile on the road, the mobile broke into pieces.

Pradap and Durga were stunned by seeing this, they just kept mum. Dhana ordered one of the police forces to go there and do the formalities.

Dhana said that I am leaving home now. Please take care of today and leave.

Morning 10 AM…

          Dhana has been threatened with job suspension if another homicide is reported. Irrespective of his continuous follow up and patrol implementation with available force and stopped so many homicides at night times at his watch, but he still got blamed.

“Sir, give me one more chance, I will catch the killer” Dhana said in a husky voice and returned to office after meeting with the commissioner. His posture has been changed. Dhana became physically weak and mentally arrogant.

Dhana called out to force members to his office. Dhana made a plan and clear sketch on the patrol implementation not only for the surroundings of Vadapalani, it was for almost all the important places in Chennai. Dhana started to explain the plan like roaring lion

We don’t know the motive, we don’t know the killer, we don’t know anything other people are being killed.

We have three levels of securities. First level will be armed police forces available at main junctions. Second and third level will be disguised as old men, watch men and rag pickers. Second level will be provided a walkie talkie and minimum security precautions, second level will be used only for navigation and tracking the criminal. Since they have burnt the dead bodies with some fluids, suspect the people who carry anything in hand. Third level will be powerful and immediate responders. Armed and positioned at every main street corner.  Whichever area in Chennai is targeted by the killer, there will be a force that will reach within five minutes. Home guards and a few volunteers also joined our operation. Our operation code is “Operation psycho”.

Dhana said and ordered to dispose. Operation started on the night of July 21, 2008.

Erode, Tamizhnadu

          Sangeetha has introduced sexually abused victims to Govi. Govi gathered all the information and made a chart. The number of rape cases reported was 80% less than actual incident. Govi felt what Sangeetha said is correct. Rape victims will be treated badly in our society.

“Sir, there are lot of sexual assault happening to women. If you read the stats you will be ashamed to be a male sir. Marriage rape is excluded from it, if marriage rapes are included it will be more than what we are seeing now” Sangeetha said.

 Govi has identified five raped and murdered cases that are relevant to truck driver rapists. One rape has been reported but she has been taken care by Sangeetha’s organization. Govi asked to meet her in person and Sangeetha arranged a meeting with her.

“Can you explain the incident in your comfortable way” Govi asked.

“He is an animal” She said and started to cry.

Sangeetha consoled her and made her talk again.

“He holds a black handbag which contains a machete and he threatens the victims with that weapon for his sexual desires. He has a big mustache and rough face. He has raped me multiple times, he never stopped ramming me. He enjoyed every moment of torturing me. He finds happiness in sex and blood. He moved me up and down with his heavy body on the bushes and never bothered my body brushing against the rough earth. I can’t explain any more, it is a nightmare, no woman should face it” She said and left.

Govi just drowned into her sorrowful speech and couldn’t regain his senses.