37

District Magistrate, Kalindi Roy, assumed her position in the Sessions Court. She looked at the accused and the prosecution. Khushi was nervously sitting in the first row with Anjali. Sham was at the other end busy talking to his lawyer. They both looked energetic. She stared at Khushi and admired her. 

"She is a brave girl!" she thought. She was amazed at her strength. Seasoned, experienced people fumble up in cross examination but this girl had not given away anything material against her case. She smiled. This was the day for her. The real test!! 

Kalindi Roy took a deep breath and prayed, "God! Give this girl enough strength to face this!" she knew what was coming for Khushi. She  felt Khushi's honesty touching her heart. Kalindi had been a very neutral and honest judge. Her reputation and her credibility had made dubious people run away from her and wait for her transfer to another place. She had had Ten transfers in her tenure of 10 years as Sessions Judge. This case came as a challenge to her and she was determined to finish this before she got her transfer orders again. Sham and his lawyer had tried their level best for her transfer. 

The court proceedings were about to start and Khushi was to come again in the witness box; they heard sensational movement outside the door. Kalindi looked at the entrance and could not believe her eyes. Mr. Dasgupta with his assistant entered the Sessions Court!

 Mr. Dasgupta, who was a living legend in the judiciary, who never lost a single case, who only fought on law points, who practiced only in High Courts and Supreme Court, who charged his fees  per minute, who was known for his professionalism; was entering the Court Room. There was a pin drop silence. All the color from the faces of defense lawyer and the accused had drained out. The other lawyers present in the Court Room got up in honor of Mr. Daspupta. Dasgupta ignored everybody and went straight to prosecutor, after bowing to the judge. He sat next to Khushi and whispered in her ear.

"Khooki.. don't worry! Everything will be alright. Do as I said!" 

Khushi nodded and smiled at him. Kalindi too wanted to stand up and wish Dasgupta Sir! But her position did not allow her to do so. She had once worked in Dasgupta's firm as legal practitioner and then had given judiciary examinations to rise up to District Magistrate's position in a short time. He was her God!! 

There was a murmur from the defense camp. "Take adjournment!" ordered Sham to his lawyer. The lawyer shook his head. "I can't do that now" he said looking helpless. Their energy had drained out when they saw Dasgupta talking to Khushi. The legend had made all the difference. He spoke in prosecutor's ears "Mr. Prosecutor, make a move now!"

"Your Honor, The principal witness Mrs. Raizada, is ready for the continuation of the cross examination!" he bowed before the court. 

""umm.. your honor, the accused is not keeping well today! May I ask for adjournment?" asked the defense lawyer.

"The court directs to conduct the cross examination in the absence of the accused! The accused may be taken to the Doctor!" snapped the Sessions Judge! 

Dasgupta's work was done! "Khooki, today's cross examination will be a cakewalk!" he said placing his stubby hand on her shoulder and getting up to move. He bowed before the Court to seek permission to go out!

The prosecutor smiled, so did the Sessions Judge, Kalindi Roy! A mere presence of a legend had turned the tables in Khushi's favor. 

Back in the car after negotiating with the media, "Balwindar, done!" called up Dasgupta.
"I knew, your presence would make the difference!" papaji was satisfied. He had played his move by sending his friend Dasgupta! 

***** ******** ********

"Ok Mrs. Raizada, coming to the day when the incidence took place, can you tell the time when Mr. Zaa entered your house?" Asked the lawyer in a shaky tone. He had not yet come out of the shock of Mr. Dasgupta's presence.

"Yes, it was 8 in the morning!" she said.
"Are you sure?" "Yes" came the answer.

"What did he do?' he asked.
"He hit Mamiji, with the butt of the gun!" she said.

"He had the gun?" lawyer looked surprised.
"Yes!" she said.

"Then what did he do?'
"He came to the dining area!" she said.

"Where were you when he hit?" asked the lawyer
"In the hall!" she said

"What is the distance?" he asked her.
"I don't know!" she said.

"Can you see the main door from hall?" he asked her
"Yes!" she said.

"Ok, he came to dining area and then what did he do?"
"He held me at gunpoint!" she said.

"Where were other family members?" asked the lawyer trying to catch her in detailing. She knew what to say..
"Naniji was at the table. Everyone else was in their respective rooms!" she said.

"Then what happened?" he asked.
"Anjali Di came out!" she said.

"And then....?" He went on asking questions and Khushi gave the details with confidence and matching her story with what Anjali had already said. Magistrate Kalindi tried hard to hide her smile.

"Perfect!" she thought. "How can she go wrong, when Dasgupta Sir is with her!" She knew the defense did know have much to ask further.

Mrs. Raizada, you said you wanted to engage him in talking to kill time so that the Mr. Arnav and Aakash would come home by that time, right?"
"Yes!" 

"What did you talk?" asked the lawyer.
"I talked and reminded him about his earlier attempt to kidnap and kill me!" she said forcefully. 

"He slapped me and said, 'the slap was for the bashing I gave him when he had tried to kidnap me in Kolkata!" she said this little louder and giving stress on the words as if highlighting the incidence. 

"Earlier kidnapping?" the lawyer asked. Khushi looked at Sham. His face had blackened. He was growing restless. He tried to wave at his lawyer.

"He tried to kidnap me earlier when I was in Kolkata!" she said again looking at the judge. Kalindi raised her eyebrow. "This is interesting!" she thought.

This was a news to the defense lawyer. Sham had hidden this information from his lawyer.
"He had tried to kidnap me and I had escaped! We had reported to the police" said Khushi again. 

"Your honor, I beg for time to further cross examination!" said the defense lawyer wiping off sweat from his forehead.

"Your honour! Here is our application for inclusion of new evidence in this case!" said the prosecutor and handed over the document to the clerk.

The Court was adjourned till the next date!
Sham came out with drooping shoulders. He knew he was trapped. 

********* ******** *********

"Khushi...!" Arnav called in the evening. Khushi and Anjali were traveling back home with Aakash.
"Yes Arnavji!" answered Khushi.

"Is everything ok?" he asked her.
"More than ok!" she said excitedly. "Das Uncle had come!" 

"What? Dasguta?" Arnav was flabbergasted.
"Yes! And then everything went on very well!" she said smiling. "I will tell you in detail later! We are going to the temple!" she said and disconnected.

"Hey devi mayya, raksha karana! Protect us!" she prayed along with Anjali. She was happy today. Her earlier kidnapping had blasted today! At that time, they had decided not to go to the police but papaji had managed to file FIR but not to pursue the investigation. That FIR would be helpful now. "If there is a crime, it must be reported!" Papaji always used to say. 

**** *********

"Khushi ji and Di, I will drop you at home. I have a client meeting" said Aakash.
"umm Aakash jijaji, can I come to the office now?" asked Khushi.

"Yes, Khushi ji!" said Aakash. Khushi desperately wanted to meet Arnav to give him the detailed account of what happened in the Corut. She was too excited to meet him.

Aakash and Khushi came to the office. They met Aman. "Hello Khushi Bhabi, how are you?" he greeted her. She smiled pleasantly. "Where is Arnav ji?" she asked. He waved at the meeting room. She went towards the meeting room. 

She pushed the room door and froze!!