The SHO starts yelling at the Virag and his parents. They feel so helpless and suffocated. They are eagerly waiting for their lawyer and relatives to turn up. Meanwhile Virag has already informed Shankar uncle about the police and all. He comforts him saying, “Face the situation bravely. You shall come out of it.”
SHO: “What do you think of yourself, you are harassing your wife for dowry?”
Virag: “No Sir, this is not true. There is no dowry system in our community. And we have not demanded a single paisa from them. We have kept her very well. She has left on her own as she hates my parents and wants me to abandon them.
SHO: “Do not speak in front of me, go out and sit there.”
Dejected and tense, Virag comes out and sits on the bench. His parents are equally tensed. Just then his lawyers and relatives arrive. They feel a little better. Rishi comforts him, not to worry. He and his colleague talk to the police and they demand 12 lacs to settle the case.
Rishi: “What is your take?”
Virag: “I have not done anything; I am not going to give a single paisa. This is our hard-earned money; it is not going to these unscrupulous and non-deserving people just on the pretext of these nonsense and draconian laws. By the way, what are the odds that I do not pay?”
Rishi: “They will lodge a 498A complaint against you and your parents and all three will be immediately arrested. I will try to get your parents bailed out tomorrow on health and age grounds, your bail might take two more days. At max, you can say, 4 days, not more than that.”
Virag looks wary.
Rishi: “Take your time, there is no hurry, think about your options and then decide.”
Virag talks to his parents. They were scared and wanted to get out of the mess soon, even by paying. Virag is stubborn, does not agree. He reasons, that if we give up so early, these people will again come up with new demands. What is the guarantee, that we agree to pay now, what they want and they will not harass us again.
Virag: “They will get this as an easy tool of extortion. I have talked to Rishi, he will get us bailed. Also once jailed all there options will go then. But if we budge now and avoid arrest, we will give them more weapons to attack.”
Virag’s parents understood he was right. But still they hoped something might work out.
Virag: “See papa, they are demanding 12 lacs. Worst come worst, even if I fight them in court the whole of my life, the expenses will be a fraction of 12 lacs. Rest we have to decide.”
Virag currently was forging strength. Heart in heart he was sinking. There were so many things he had to handle, but he had never learned to break down in front of his parents. His strength made them proud, and this made him happy. Seeing him not breaking down, they also get strength and get ready to fight. Just then his cell starts ringing. It was his client’s call from US. Virag gets tensed. What to tell him? Can’t ignore his call.
Virag: “Hello.”
Client: “Hey Virag, can we start?”
Virag: “I am extremely sorry, I have entangled in some serious personal issues, and can we take this call later. I am again very sorry for having postponed it. Please give me some time.”
Virag’s voice conveys more than his words.
Client: “No problem. We will talk later.” The connection hangs up.
Virag: “Rishi, I am not ready to pay a single paisa. Let the law take its own course.”
Rishi conveys the same to the SHO. The case is registered and they are kept in custody. Viral and her parents leave the police station. The SHO while leaving the station shouts at Virag’s mother.
SHO: “You do not have a daughter, that is why you are treating her like this. I will expose you in the media.”
Now Virag understands as to why the SHO was not in a mood to listen to them and how was the case registered. He had been properly bribed and told what to SPEAK and what NOT TO LISTEN. He knows the system is flawed. There are gory loopholes open to widespread misuse. He thinks who is going to stop this LEGAL TERRORISM. The enemy has invaded into the families, the hearts, and the trust circle and it is very difficult to identify and deal with such an enemy.
His mom is taken by lady constable to the woman’s cell. Except for the SHO the other policemen, were well aware that the case is false, were sympathetic towards Virag and his parents. On Virag and his aunt’s request, they are allowed to sleep in the cabin (and not in the cell) with fan on and a sheet to cover.
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