Next day in the morning, the search teams reported back to the DCP. Their report said that the previous day, Yashaswini Raj was at a party till midnight. Around 12:30, she reached home which was empty. The servants would leave around 9:30 p.m. as the routine. They could not find any suspicious person or activity around the villa at that time, based on the CCTV footage. Ashwath had hit a dead end.
An hour later, the MLA Siddharth Raj came to Ashwath’s office. After knowing that they hadn’t found her yet, he went berserk. Insulting the officers who were present there, he even threatened to transfer them to a remote location. That is when the autopsy report came.
The report said that the corpse belonged to a young female whose age ranged between 19 - 21 years. She had died due to burning and suffocation. Some amount of liquor had been found in her stomach. Hearing this from Ashwath, the MLA collapsed in a chair. The officers had to revive him. Ashwath informed the MLA that conducting a DNA test would clarify everything. The words of Ashwath, lit hope in the MLA’s heart, and he agreed to the test.
Around noon, a report from the fire department was delivered. The report stated that the fire incident was staged by someone. This perplexed everyone. Before Ashwath could say anything, MLA Siddarth Raj began shouting in anger.
“Does this mean someone killed my daughter?! What nonsense! Who would dare, that too, my daughter? I’m MLA Siddarth Raj. I own this constituency. I-” Gently interrupting him, Ashwath made him sit on the chair.
“Sir, The identity of the corpse has not been confirmed yet. The report says, someone had turned on the gas stove knobs. Sir, do you suspect anyone? Your daughter’s servants?”
“No way. They were all my people. I had chosen them individually to keep an eye on my daughter.”
“Sir, we will begin the investigation regarding this matter. Once the corpse is identified, we shall know which direction we have to go.” Ashwath explained as the MLA agreed in frustration, and left for the forensic lab. Ashwath collapsed in a chair with a huge sigh.
The fire report was not making sense. Ashwath thought, No one entered the house, no one left. Then who turned on the gas stove...? It definitely seems like it was done by someone who held a grudge. But who? MLA Siddharth Raj does have a lot of enemies… Frustrated, he leaned back and closed his eyes.
Around 3 pm, an impatient Ashwath got a call directly from the forensic lab. It was a medical geneticist. He told Ashwath that the test result was positive. The DNA of the corpse was similar to that of MLA Siddharth Raj. Thanking the medical geneticist, he leaned back in his seat. Taking a deep breath, he picked up the phone and called the MLA. The MLA's PA answered, and he could hear the sound of an ambulance siren. Ashwath was startled.
“Is the MLA sir not there? I’m DCP Ashwath speaking.”
“Ah! Glad you called. Sir has been hospitalized. H-”
“What?!” Shocked, Ashwath interrupted the PA.
“Yes, sir was waiting for your call. Then his contact from the forensic lab informed sir about the result. I don’t know what sir heard, but he collapsed on the sofa immediately. I instantly called the ambulance. Now we are almost near Amrut Multi-specialty Hospital.” The panicked PA told him in a single breath. Within half an hour, Ashwath was in the hospital.
After waiting for an hour, he was allowed to meet the MLA. He looked 20 years older. Seeing Ashwath, he signaled to come near. Ashwath obeyed and leaned closer to hear him better.
“I want the son of bitch... who killed my precious daughter... in prison within two days. U… use the entire police force... if needed... and apply any method required to get the... bastard... Do you hear me?” In a faint voice, the MLA ordered in anger, and closed his eyes to rest. Ashwath immediately left for his office. On the way, he instructed his best police officers to gather at his office.
The officers were waiting for him when he reached there. Without delay, he briefed them.
“Officers, we have to find the killer who murdered Yashaswini Raj. We have to find him within two days. Remember, your jobs are at stake!” Ashwath paused to look at the officers and continued.
“Dinesh, investigate the people who were in contact with Yashaswini Raj outside her college.”
“Yes, sir.” Dinesh responded.
“Nilesh, contact the telecom service provider of her sim card, and check the call details of the last thirty days.”
“Yes, sir.” Nilesh responded.
“Maruti, go to her college and collect the information about her classmates, lecturers, and the staff. If needed, investigate whoever you find suspicious.”
“Yes, sir.” Maruti responded.
“Keshav, investigate the people who were against the MLA Siddharth Raj.”
“Yes, sir.” Keshav responded.
“Krishna Prasad, you order the digital and print media not to spread rumors regarding this case. You can warn them about the consequences.”
“Yes, sir.” Krishna Prasad responded.
“Remember, don’t hesitate to apply any method to get what you require. I will cover you. I just want the results. Send me an hourly report on the progress. Understood?” Ashwath’s tone raised a bit.
“Yes, sir.” The officers replied in unison.
“You can leave then.” Ashwath sat in his chair as they left his chamber.
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