Chapter 73 #2
"According to you, Mr. Virendar Shekhawat attempted to attack your wife multiple times. Do you have any evidence to support these claims?" a reporter asked.
"Look, gathering evidence is the CBI's responsibility, and I have full faith in the agency—" Shaurya began, but was cut off.
"Sir, people may question whether this is a narrative crafted by you to sideline your father for political gain," another reporter pressed.
"Like I said... Shaurya Ji has zero interest in power. His only interest is serving the people," Alka, the women's wing president, reiterated firmly.
But the questions didn't stop. Doubts continued to be thrown—carefully designed to weaken him politically and shape a narrative against him.
Akansha wouldn't let that happen.
She sent a video to Pankaj Ji's phone, ensuring he saw it. Along with it, she forwarded Shaurya's medical reports.
"Of course, we have evidence to support Shaurya Ji's claims. We chose to remain silent out of respect for the judiciary, but our silence is now being misused by opposition-backed media. So today, we will present that evidence," Pankaj Ji declared.
Shaurya looked at him, stunned.
Akansha had been strategic. Pankaj was not just loyal—he was fiercely protective of Shaurya. He couldn't tolerate even a word against him. And more importantly, he was emotional and impulsive—the kind who would act without holding back when provoked.
The steps Shaurya had taken after uncovering Rajgopal Ji's murder had only deepened Pankaj's respect for him.
Shaurya had once taken Pankaj into confidence—revealing his plan to gradually isolate Virendar Shekhawat from the party before striking decisively. He had also told him everything his father had done, yet chose patience, waiting for the right moment to ensure there was no escape from justice.
It had been a risk. If Pankaj had chosen to leak that information, it could have destroyed Shaurya politically. But Shaurya had trusted him—and that trust had only strengthened Pankaj's loyalty.
On top of that, Shaurya had given up Rajgopal Ji's constituency and offered it to Neeraj, Pankaj's younger brother. He had personally campaigned for him and ensured his victory. Pankaj had been given key positions in the cabinet. All of it combined had made him unwaveringly loyal.
Pankaj Ji signaled Mr. Sharma.
Within minutes, the technical team arranged a laptop connected to the projector. The setup took around ten minutes.
Once ready, Pankaj Ji began.
"I have never seen a man as cruel as Virendar Shekhawat—someone who orchestrated deadly attacks on his own daughter-in-law.
The reports I am about to show belong to our Chief Minister, Shaurya Singh Shekhawat.
These are from the time when he was severely injured while trying to stop the men hired by his own father from reaching his wife," Pankaj said.
Shaurya's eyes widened. He had never wanted these reports to go public—not like this. He despised gaining sympathy. But stopping this now would only raise more suspicion.
Pankaj began displaying the medical reports—dated back to Shaurya's time as an MLA, just two years before he became Chief Minister.
Then came the video.
The same one Dev had shown Akansha.
Shaurya—covered in blood.
The room froze.
Reporters gasped.
Before the video could continue, Shaurya stood up and pulled the plug, abruptly halting the display.
"Okay. Enough," he said, his voice firm.
"I never wanted this to be public. I want people to vote for me based on my work—not out of sympathy. I request the media—please don't focus on this. Focus on my work instead. You are free to criticize me, and my cabinet and I will respond by improving our work," Shaurya said.
"Shaurya Ji, those injuries look severe. The reports suggest months of bed rest. Why was this hidden from the media?" a reporter asked.
Shaurya didn't respond.
Not a single question related to that incident was answered.
"The press conference is over. For further queries, you can write to the CMO or the party headquarters," Shaurya announced.
He stepped away as reporters continued shouting questions.
"Pankaj Ji, meet me in my cabin," Shaurya said quietly.
His tone was calm—but the message was clear.
He was not pleased.
For the first time, Richa and her team saw Shaurya in a different light.
Any other leader would have capitalized on this moment—used it to generate sympathy, to secure an emotional advantage. It was a guaranteed political gain.
But Shaurya had shut it down.
Richa had known about the incident earlier. She had assumed he kept it hidden to protect his wife's identity.
Now she understood.
It wasn't just about protecting Akansha.
It was about who he was.
Shaurya didn't believe in winning through sympathy.
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"What was the need to display all that? What were you thinking, Pankaj Ji?" Shaurya questioned as soon as they stepped inside.
"The media was questioning your credibility, Shaurya Ji.
They were calling you a liar—a conspirator against your own father.
Despite everything you suffered at the hands of Virendar Shekhawat, they were painting you as the villain and turning that demon into a god.
I couldn't tolerate it anymore," Pankaj said, his voice heavy with anger.
"The media is always like that, Pankaj Ji. They question, they oppose—that's their job. But we cannot lose control of our emotions and make impulsive decisions like this," Shaurya replied, his tone firm but controlled.
"Sir, you always say that people deserve leaders who genuinely care about them and their welfare. But don't they also deserve to know the truth? To know what such leaders go through to give them honest governance?" Pankaj countered.
Shaurya exhaled slowly.
"I still don't agree with you, Pankaj Ji. You shouldn't have—" he paused abruptly, something clicking in his mind. "Wait... how did you even get those?"
For a moment, a flicker of concern crossed his face. He feared Dev might have sent them anonymously—and if Pankaj traced it back, everything they had carefully contained would unravel.
"Akansha Ma'am," Pankaj answered simply.
That answer hit harder than expected.
Shaurya stood still, momentarily taken aback. He had never imagined that incident—that part of his life—would ever become public. And certainly not because of Akansha.
For a brief second, something unreadable passed through his eyes.
He dismissed Pankaj with a nod.
Then turning to Mr. Sharma, he said quietly, "Leave me alone for some time."
Mr. Sharma nodded and walked out, shutting the door behind him.
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Meanwhile, the impact outside was explosive.
Mr. Subramanian, Akansha, and Aakriti immediately got to work, monitoring reactions pouring in from every corner.
The news had already blown up.
Within hours, Virendar Shekhawat and Shobha Shekhawat had turned into national villains. The outrage wasn't political anymore—it was personal.
The entire country responded.
People empathized deeply with Shaurya and Akansha. Social media flooded with videos discussing how domestic violence had silently embedded itself into households across India—cutting across class, status, and power.
It didn't matter whether it was an ordinary family or one as powerful as the Shekhawats.
The shock came from that realization.
That a three-time Chief Minister like Virendar Shekhawat could be capable of something so brutal.
That power didn't guarantee morality.
Women across the country—and even beyond—began asking uncomfortable questions.
If a man as powerful as Shaurya couldn't protect his own wife from his parents... if he had to hide his pregnant wife just to keep her alive...
Then what safety did ordinary women have?
The question spread like wildfire.
At the same time, another narrative emerged.
People praised Shaurya.
For his resilience.
For his restraint.
For choosing to endure rather than exploit.
For loving his wife enough to stand against his own blood.
Some even said he was ready to die for her.
Within days, the issue escalated to such a scale that it could no longer be ignored at the highest levels.
The Prime Minister ordered the Home Ministry and relevant departments to initiate a formal inquiry and submit a detailed report. He also directed the CBI to expedite the investigation and move toward trial at the earliest.
Soon after, he personally called Shaurya.
He publicly assured full support to both Shaurya and Akansha and reinforced that their security would remain a top priority—though Shaurya was already under heavy protection.
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Back home, Akansha watched everything unfold.
And for the first time since sending that video...
She felt conflicted.
A part of her regretted it.
Watching women across the country question the very foundation of marriage unsettled her. The ripple effect was bigger than she had anticipated.
But another part of her knew—
She hadn't been wrong.
Because alongside the outrage, something else had started happening.
Women—who had been silent for years—began speaking.
Openly.
Publicly.
Stories surfaced—of abuse, of fear, of survival.
And this time, they weren't being buried.
Shaurya's government responded immediately.
A special initiative was launched to identify and assist victims of domestic violence. Teams began collecting details, reaching out, offering protection, legal help—intervening before it was too late.
For the first time in a long time...
Silence was breaking.
And even in the chaos—
Something meaningful had begun.
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Elections were drawing closer, with only a few weeks left for campaigning. According to the Election Commission, campaigning would officially end 48 hours before polling—a silent period where no public outreach was allowed.