Chapter 75
Shaurya's residence was filled with visitors for the next few days.
His party was in a celebratory mood, and surprisingly, even the opposition party had reasons to celebrate.
Their seats had increased to a record number in the assembly—something they hadn't achieved in decades.
Earlier, even when Shaurya's party had been involved in a major scandal, back when Virendar Shekhawat was the CM, the opposition hadn't secured as many seats as they did today, and they credited Dev for this rise.
Their stronger presence in the state made them happy, but no one was celebrating openly.
This time, because of the chaos surrounding Shaurya's party, they had expected a win, or at least the chance to form a coalition government, but the results favored Shaurya, leaving them disappointed.
They had left no stone unturned in their campaign against him; even their manifesto was as strong as his.
But perhaps this time, people chose to believe in results, and Shaurya had delivered them.
They didn't want to take a risk with another leader.
Also, Shaurya's approach to the chaos surrounding his party and his father had established him as an honest leader among the people, and maybe that reputation made them favor him over Dev.
Of course, there were other factors behind his win as well.
The way he curbed corruption from the moment he took over as Chief Minister, the SHe Park he established—which created opportunities for hundreds of thousands of women across the state—made him a default protector of women's rights.
His reputation as a gentleman also earned him significant support from women voters.
Yes, some women turned against Shaurya when his past was revealed—especially how he had deserted his pregnant wife.
But when they came to know the truth, their admiration for him returned with even greater intensity.
Akansha's open support and her public defense of her husband also earned him brownie points.
Much of the credit goes to social media, the campaigns run by Aakriti and her team, and the viral content that made him widely popular and established him as a family man.
Akansha and Mr. Subramanian did a fantastic job of controlling the narrative.
However, one drawback was Shaurya's decision to curb the spread of news about the attack on him and the fatal injuries he had suffered years ago.
If people had known more about it, he might have secured a landslide victory, gaining votes out of sympathy—but Shaurya clearly didn't want that.
And everyone around him was happy to see him win on his own terms, without compromising his values.
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Days before his oath-taking ceremony, Shaurya was summoned by the court to testify against Virendar Shekhawat.
The case was not about his corruption, nor about the attempt on Shaurya's life or his wife's, but about the murder of his sister.
If anyone thought he would spare his parents for trying to kill his sister, they were terribly wrong.
The only difference now was that they would not be punished for attempting to kill a newborn baby girl, but for actually killing her—because, according to the world, his sister was no longer alive, and he was determined to protect that belief.
The proceedings were supposed to be held behind closed doors, but the court decided to conduct them on camera so that it would serve as a lesson for those who consider ending the life of a newborn based on gender.
Shaurya didn't want the world to believe that his sister—who was alive—was dead, but the truth remained this: Virendar Shekhawat's daughter was declared dead, while his sister was alive, and Shaurya would make sure she stayed safe.
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Dev and Rachna came to Shaurya's place, and everyone was sitting in front of the TV on the top floor. Akansha placed the popcorn tray on the glass table and sat beside Aakriti.
Dev's eyes were glued to the TV, while his hands kept reaching for popcorn—sometimes from one tub, sometimes from another. Akansha grew frustrated with him.
She slapped his hand when he reached into her tub.
"Ouch! Woman! Will you kill me or what?" he screamed at her.
"Eat from your tub. Don't put your dirty hands in all of ours," Akansha said. "And why are you here? Don't you have a TV at your place?"
"Hawwwww... Did you hear that, Rachna? You keep fighting with me for this woman, and now she doesn't even want us here..." Dev complained to his wife.
"Who said anything about Rachna? She is always welcome here. You're not..." Akansha replied. He ignored her and increased the TV volume.
"Dev..." Akansha shouted at him.
"Both of you, go out and fight. We're trying to watch the news here," Aakriti said, her eyes fixed on the screen. Suddenly, the weight of the situation dawned upon them.
Dev, Akansha, and Rachna looked at each other. Aakriti had no idea that she was listening to the judgment in her own case. Her parents were finally about to receive the punishment they deserved—but she had no idea, and that realization saddened all three.
"Shh... the judgment is here, let's listen..." Aakriti said. Dev's eyes welled up. He went and sat beside her, kissing her hair and pulling her into a side hug.
"What happened to you, Dev?" Aakriti asked, still focused on the TV.
"Nothing," he said. Rachna shook her head, silently consoling him. Akansha looked at her husband on the TV, who was waiting eagerly for justice to be served. She could feel how vulnerable he might be. She had offered to go with him, but he refused—he said he didn't want her in all that chaos.
Protection... always. He never let her be vulnerable in his presence, always kept her safe. If she hadn't left him, he would have protected her throughout. She had to leave because of Virendar and Shobha Shekhawat. Looking at them now, her heart burned with rage.
The judge started pronouncing the judgment, and all four of them remained glued to the TV.
"IN THE HIGH COURT OF [XXXXXX]
Date: 14th August 20XX
State vs. Virendar Shekhawat & Shoba Shekhawat
This Court has taken the unusual step of allowing these proceedings to be witnessed by the public, not for spectacle, but so that the nation understands the consequences of a crime that strikes at the very soul of our society.
The accused, Virendar Shekhawat, a former three-time Chief Minister, and his wife, Shoba Shekhawat, stand charged with the murder of their days-old infant daughter—killed solely because she was a girl.
The prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The testimony of their son, Shaurya Singh Shekhawat, who, as a child, overheard his parents planning this act, has remained consistent and credible.
His words are corroborated by the household servant, who witnessed the execution of that plan and has clearly stated before this Court that the child was thrown into a well by the accused.
The defence has failed to discredit these witnesses or offer any plausible alternative explanation. The chain of evidence is complete and points precisely to the guilt of the accused.
This is not merely a case of murder. This is a crime rooted in the regressive and unlawful mindset that a girl child is lesser, dispensable, and undeserving of life.
The Constitution of India guarantees equality and dignity to every individual.
What the accused have done is a direct assault on those very principles.
It is even more disturbing that the accused are individuals who once held the highest offices of power. They were entrusted to uphold the law, yet they chose to violate it in the most inhuman manner. Their status does not entitle them to leniency—it demands greater accountability.
A newborn child, incapable of defence, was denied her right to live by those who were meant to protect her. Such an act shocks the collective conscience of this Court and of the nation.
Accordingly, this Court holds both the accused, Virendar Shekhawat and Shoba Shekhawat, guilty under Sections 302 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code.
On the question of sentence, this Court finds no mitigating circumstance sufficient to dilute the gravity of this offence. The brutality of the act and the motive behind it demand the severest response within the framework of law.
Both the accused are hereby sentenced to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of their natural lives, without remission. They are also directed to pay a fine of ?5,00,000 each.
Before I conclude, let it be said clearly—no power, no position, no legacy can protect those who choose to commit such crimes. The law stands above all, and justice will prevail.
The Court is adjourned."
Everyone cheered the judgment. Aakriti cursed Virendar and Shobha Shekhawat for their crime, imagining the helplessness of that child, while the other three looked at her with a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction—but also grief.
Akansha looked at the TV. While everyone around Shaurya was cheering, he quietly got up, thanked his lawyer, and left the place calmly. Suraj and his team followed. She could feel his pain. Akansha looked at Aakriti, hugged her tightly, and then left.
"What happened to bhabhi?" Aakriti asked, confused by Akansha's behavior. She was never one to get emotional so easily.
"You were around the same age as Shaurya's sister. You both were born around the same time, so we all just got emotional. Two different fates for two different infants," Dev said.