Page 276 - Musings 2020

Vijay: So, what do you have to say about the money deposited in each of your bank accounts
of 1 lakh rupees each. Didn’t take you long to sell the painting huh?

Slides his bank statement over the table from the file

Mohan: Sir, I have no idea how the money got in my bank account

Vijay: So, whom did you sell it to, and for how much?

Mohan: Sir, I am telling you we did not steal the painting. It was gone before we entered the
room.

Vijay: (Intimidating) You have no other choice but to admit that you stole the painting. We
have got you dead to your rights. We have CCTV footage showing you were the only ones in
the room, your fingerprints on the crime scene, and the money in your bank accounts.

Mohan: (Terrified) Sir, I am innocent we did not do anything.

The Inspector stands up and leaves

Mohan: (To himself) I shouldn't have gone to the Gala at all. This is all Karthik's fault. Now
look, I am in a world of trouble.

The Inspector walks in with a sheet of paper in his hand Slides the piece of paper over the
table towards Mohan along with a pen

Vijay: Mohan, the way I see it you have two choices, you can either sign this paper, become
an eye witness and admit that Karthik stole the painting and threatened you to keep your
mouth shut. He also gave you some of the money from selling the painting as an incentive.
Keep in mind that if both of you decide to sign the paper, both will be charged with 2 years in
jail.

Mohan: (Confused) Uh. Umm.

Scratches his head thinking deeply; picks up the pen his hands shaking with fear not able to
decide what to do

Vijay: Well, if only one of you signs and the other doesn’t, the former would be freed of the
charges levied upon him, and the latter would have to serve 10 years in prison for grand
larceny.

Mohan shivers and is speechless

Vijay: However, if both of you decide not to sign, both would get bailed for a year after
which the case would again be taken up for investigation. Can you imagine going through
this again? Huh? Let me make this easy for you, we have Karthik in the next room given the
same offer, are you sure he won't become an eye witness and turn on you if you decide not to
sign?

Mohan reluctantly signs the paper and becomes an eye witness against his friend Karthik
The inspector grabs the paper swiftly and calls the constable in the room. Enter the constable
Manohar

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