Chapter 65 #3
Many believe that being a Chief Minister means you can get anything done, but in a democracy, one cannot dictate terms, not even in the name of protecting people. Shaurya was realizing this with every passing minute as he tried to control the spread of news about his father's arrest.
Because of social media, the news spread rapidly, but ironically, the same platform also made Virendar Shekhawat's crimes go viral.
Shaurya's plan to circulate his father's atrocities through unverified and anonymous sources worked.
People became aware of the crimes, especially the younger generation, which helped contain protests on the streets.
Nearly seventy percent of the protesters were middle-aged people, among whom his father still remained a popular leader.
"Switch on the TV," Shaurya said to Akansha over the call.
"I did," Akansha replied, watching the screen with something close to peace. It felt as though years of burning agony were finally being soothed.
The screen showed Virendar Shekhawat and Shobha Shekhawat being dragged out by the CBI.
The couple had refused to cooperate with the CBI and the police, leaving the officers with no option but to pull them out of their house.
The clip played on repeat while the news anchor spoke about the FIR filed against Virendar Shekhawat.
"We were the first channel to report that an FIR was registered against the former Chief Minister of the state, Mr. Virendar Shekhawat, about three months ago, but the police refused to comment at that time.
This morning, at 11:15 a.m., Mr. Virendar Shekhawat and Mrs. Shobha Shekhawat were arrested.
According to reports, the chargesheet had already been filed by the CBI.
When officials went to take the former Chief Minister and his wife into custody for questioning, they refused to cooperate, leaving the CBI with no choice but to arrest Mr. and Mrs. Shekhawat.
Many of Mr. Virendar Shekhawat's supporters are protesting outside CBI offices, claiming the arrests are illegal.
There is no official statement from the CBI or the state police yet," the news anchor read.
"Shaurya, this is chaotic," Akansha said, though the satisfaction in her voice was unmistakable.
"Switch the channel. There are multiple surprises waiting for you," Shaurya said, and Akansha already knew what he meant. She quickly changed the channel to Dev's network, where her best friend, Richa Upadhyay, was reporting live from the ground.
Akansha had always dreamed of seeing her best friend as a reporter on a major news channel covering big news, and now that Richa had finally achieved it, it wasn't her success, but the story she was covering that gave Akansha the most satisfaction.
Akansha knew Shaurya was behind Richa getting this opportunity.
Despite Richa's constant hostility towards him, he never failed to help her.
Akansha knew he would continue to do so for life, for what Richa had done for her, for how she had helped Akansha and admitted her to the hospital when she was found on the road, heavily pregnant, during the riots, when her water had broken.
"Richa, explain the situation to us. What exactly is happening? Mr. Virendar Shekhawat's followers and loyalists are furious. They claim these arrests are illegal," the anchor, Rajat, asked.
"Yes, Rajat, the situation here is very tense, but the police forces seem well prepared, unlike the riots that happened five years ago," Richa paused before continuing.
Akansha sighed. Her friend never missed an opportunity to bring up the riots and how Shaurya's government had handled them.
The memory was a constant thorn for Akansha and a source of deep remorse for Shaurya, and Richa never hesitated to poke at his wound; she loved seeing him bleed.
"Considering the fact that an FIR was registered against Mr. Virendar Shekhawat and Mrs. Shobha Shekhawat more than three months ago, and that a CBI investigation has been ongoing since then, it is shocking that Mr. Shekhawat claims he never received any summons.
This is a claim both he and his wife were seen making while being taken out of their residence.
Neither the police department nor the CBI has commented on this yet.
We also have reports stating that multiple FIRs have been registered against Mr. Shekhawat under IPC Section 120B, Section 409, Section 420, and Sections 467, 468, and 471 for criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust by a public servant, cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, and forgery of valuable security and documents, including the use of forged documents.
The CBI claims that during his tenure as Chief Minister, funds from central schemes were diverted to inter-state shell companies by forging projects that were shelved upon initiation.
Mrs. Shobha Shekhawat is also implicated, with the CBI claiming she managed these shell companies on her husband's behalf.
The FIR further states that Mr. Shekhawat abused his power to intimidate nationalized and PSU banks into sanctioning huge loans to his allies.
There are also FIRs registered against the couple by the ED and the Income Tax Department for money laundering and tax evasion," Richa read, glancing at her phone, where she had received leaked copies of the FIRs.
"What is the current situation on the roads? Are the protests turning violent? Is the police cracking down on the protesters?" Rajat asked.
"The situation on the roads is currently under control.
Although hundreds of protesters have gathered in support of Mr. and Mrs. Shekhawat, no violent incidents have been reported so far.
Considering this is Virendar Shekhawat's home constituency, the situation is being viewed as relatively stable.
The police are on high alert and have issued warnings to protesters against turning violent.
Any such acts will invite a strong crackdown and could lead to arrests.
Thirty-eight people have already been arrested for attempting to burn down a government building.
The accused have been identified as party activists of Mr. Virendar Shekhawat," Richa said.
"Thank you, Richa. We will connect with you again shortly for further updates," Rajat said before ending the segment.
Akansha's eyes remained fixed on the television as updates about the case flashed in real time.
She watched media houses scramble to speculate about Shaurya's stance.
Some openly hinted at his involvement, calling it Shaurya's conspiracy against his own father.
She let out a bitter laugh at the word "conspiracy.
" They spoke as though Virendar Shekhawat were a noble man framed by his son for power, when in reality, he was a wolf who would not hesitate to destroy his own children for his selfish ambitions.
-----------
It had been four days since the CBI took Virendar and Shobha Shekhawat into custody.
Multiple rounds of questioning were carried out on the couple, but neither revealed much.
The media was desperate for Shaurya's stance.
They waited for his statement; even the people of the state anticipated his words, but none came.
The Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax Department submitted formal requests to the CBI, seeking permission to question the couple. The CBI declined.
Shaurya wanted a confession from his father. He wasn't settling for anything less.
They already had the proof, mountains of it, but Virendar Shekhawat accepting his guilt carried a weight far greater than any document or chargesheet.
That man was so vile that he could still influence his followers from behind bars.
Virendar Shekhawat was like a cancer, and Shaurya wanted it eradicated completely.
That could only happen if the people saw his true face and saw it exposed by Virendar himself.
Shaurya focused on finishing his other work before the elections. Several projects demanded his attention, but he hadn't been able to concentrate amid the chaos and the looming arrest of his parents. Now that it was done, he left the task of breaking Virendar Shekhawat to the CBI.
He laughed at his father's condition.
A man once celebrated as a political giant had been reduced to a mere accused. Business magnates and celebrities who once waited weeks for his appointments were now irrelevant. Instead, the police department, the CBI, the ED, and the Income Tax Department stood in line to interrogate him.
Shaurya received daily updates from the SP, and he couldn't have been happier hearing about his father's condition. Though he enjoyed knowing his parents were locked up, he wanted the trial to begin as soon as possible—and he wanted convictions. He was done letting their chapter drag on.
"Sir..." SP Mr. Singh, also the head of the State CBI, saluted Shaurya.
"Any update?" Shaurya asked.
"No use, sir. We've tried every possible tactic to extract a confession, but nothing seems to work," the SP said, pausing before adding, "All tactics that can be used on a former Chief Minister."
"Understood," Shaurya replied coldly. "He's an accused now. You know he's a criminal. You've already filed the chargesheet. Do whatever it takes to make him confess. Treat him like any other criminal."
"It's not practically possible, sir," the SP said carefully.
"He isn't just another criminal. He's still a well-known politician.
He may no longer be a Chief Ministerial candidate, but he remains the party president of one of the biggest parties in the country.
There will be serious law-and-order issues.
Protests could turn far more violent. I hope you understand what I'm saying, sir. "
Shaurya fell silent for a moment, then nodded.