Just after the Durga Puja, we were having our G2G (short for Get-together) of school buddies. This was a special one for few of our overseas and outstation buddies have graciously joined the Bijoya Sammelani. The Group Captain SC benignly obliged us by arranging the party hall at AFGC, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi. The party scene was typical with groups of 4-5 people gathered in huddle and talking animatedly. The prime topic of discussion was haunted stories and it seemed each one of us have sometime in our life experienced some incidents which defies logic and can’t be defined by intellect. The next thing we know, it was being planned to visit a haunted house or palace and try to figure out the mystery. Indro & I were sitting at a corner enjoying our Single Malts with succulent Chicken Malai Tikkas, hearing the planning we laughed because many such plans had been made in the past which never worked. I told Indro about Bhangarh Fort on Delhi-Jaipur Highway about 4 hours from Delhi. He said, “Let’s two us go there on my way back from Ranchi, I will come a bit early and we can go straight from the airport and you can drop me back at the airport for my flight to Baghdad”. I agreed because I had been planning to visit the place for a long time but wasn’t finding a brave partner to go along.

A bit about the legends of Bhangarh Fort…  

The ancient and eerie Bhangarh Fort lies deep within the arid landscape of Rajasthan at distance of 282 km from Delhi. The fort renowned for its paranormal activity and has developed a reputation as the most haunted place in India. The fort’s shadowy walls hold secrets that have terrified generations of people residing outside the fort.

Legend has it that in the 16^th century, Raja Bhagwant Das built this fort as a gift for his beloved son, Madho Singh. It stood tall against the backdrop of the rugged Aravalli Range, its imposing presence commanding respect from all who beheld it. But the whispering winds told of a curse, a story of a dark shadow that clung on to every stone, every wall of the fort…

One fateful day, a sorcerer named Singhia entered the fort with evil intentions. He was drawn to a beautiful princess named Ratnavati, whose beauty was said to rival the mythological angel, Urvashi. Singhia was captivated by her elegance and longed to marry her at any cost. However, Ratnavati, spurned all his advances which infuriated the Sorcerer and he resorted to black magic to achieve his wicked desires.

Singhia after carefully observing the movement of Ratnavati, realized that she frequently visited the market place to buy beauty herbs and jewelry. He concocted a plan to ensnare her and accordingly placed a cursed love potion in a cosmetic item meant for the princess. However, an admirer of the princess alerted her about the nefarious scheme of the sorcerer. Fearful of Singhia’s dark intentions, Ratnavati threw the potion onto a nearby boulder unknowingly causing it to transform into a gigantic stone and caused a powerful explosion engulfing the entire area and killing Singhia instantly. In his dying moments, he cursed the fort…declaring that no one would ever find happiness within its walls. The curse took hold, spreading its malevolence throughout the Bhangarh Fort. Locals claimed to hear anguished cries echoing through the corridors and strange lights flickered in the night sky. Those who dared to enter the fort after sunset were never seen again.

Centuries passed, and the fort became a crumbling edifice of its former glory…whispers of the curse spread throughout the region like wildfire deterring anyone from venturing into its forbidden confines. The once thriving marketplace outside the fort turned into a ghost town, haunted by the tales of the princess and sorcerer.

On the appointed day, I picked up Indro from IGIA T-2 around 10 am and had a quick breakfast at the Sagar Ratna situated at World One complex in Aerocity. We proceeded to towards Bhangarh following the Google Map which indicated 4 hours 38 minutes to the destination. We had picked up enough water, beverages, munchies and sandwiches from another shop in the same complex knowing that we won’t find anything on our route. We took the NH8 (Delhi-Jaipur) and decided to turn left at Manoharpur for the NH11 that will take us to our destination.

The drive was smooth despite a bit of congestion at the Rajiv Chowk/Sohna Road because of construction activities. We were soon cruising towards Sahjanpur-Neemrana when we realized that the vehicles ahead of us are slowing down. We came to a halt at a point from where we could see the Neemrana Fort at a distance. We came to know that further, about 2/2.5 km ahead a trailer truck carrying a 40ft container has overturned blocking the entire road towards Jaipur… efforts are on to clear the road at the earliest. We had no choice but to wait as the traffic had built up very quickly all around us. We opened the coke cans and started chitchatting but soon Indro dozed off… he had an early morning flight from Ranchi and was tired from the exhaustion. I concentrated on playing my favourite game of Solitaire on my phone.

Indro & I reached the entrance of the fort around 4:30 pm and saw a group of locals deep in conversation. When we told them about our desire to enter the fort, they, in unison protested saying it is not safe to go in at that time… one of them said there have been strange noises coming out of the fort since last night with weird shape of lights emanating on the night sky. We assured them that we will take a quick look around and come out before the dusk settles in.

Unfazed by the warnings of the villagers, we entered the fort accompanied by intrigue and curiosity and a resolve to capture the paranormal activities in my Canon D60 camera. Inside the fort was unusually dark even when outside the sun shone brightly. A chilling wind swept through the crumbling walls of the fort as we moved forward…we shivered, feeling a heavy weight on our chest…as if unseen eyes watched our every move. I held my camera tightly and Indro was holding a 6-cell Maglight Torch that I had borrowed from our dear friend Ashish, it was heavy and very powerful…also can be used as weapon for self defense, if need arose.

Suddenly, Indro grabbed my arm restraining me and asked, “Did you hear what I heard?” In fact both of us heard a whispering distant voice beckoning us deeper into the labyrinthine corridors. We felt it was impossible to ignore the voice and almost hypnotized we followed the distant ethereal voice… hearts pounding in our chest. The narrow passageway seemed to shift and warp, at times disorienting us as we ventured further into the heart of darkness and the whispering voice. We reached a chamber where a dim light was emanating from the skylight. Indro used his powerful torch to look around the chamber and his torchlight rested upon an ancient mirror with ornate carvings. We looked into the reflective surface and were startled by the apparition of a beautiful woman dressed in royal regalia… Indro whispered in my ears, “Princess Ratnavati”… her eyes were filled with sorrow and longing for love. “Her lips moved a bit and we could her say, “Leave this place immediately before the curse of Singhia consumes you guys”. Her voice had a otherworldly resonance and we were captivated by her beauty.

We could feel the air getting heavy making our breathing labored but we were hesitant to move, then we heard a chilling ungodly laughter in the distant which made the apparition on the mirror dissolve as if some unseen hand wiped the surface. With great effort Indro & I turned our gaze towards the corridor from which we had entered the chamber and rushed towards it, the fort’s malevolent energy grew stronger threatening to ensnare us into its cavity. We started running towards the exit… the fort seemed to come alive, its walls pulsating with menacing energy…the air turned frigid while shadows danced and swirled, whispering secrets of the fort in a language unheard before. Despite our resolve and courage, we were scared and ran for our life and stumbled out of the fort gasping for breath…

The villagers were waiting outside with baited breath and immediately came forward with water and splashed some on our face. We drank the water and looked back at the fort with mixed feelings of relief and sadness. The Bhangarh Fort stands a testament to the enduring power of the supernatural, a place where the veil between the living and the dead is thin; the echoes of a tragic love story continue to resonate through the time.

There was a persistent knock on my window which woke me up… a police officer was saying something, I pulled down my window… “Sir, the traffic jam has been cleared but now you are holding up the traffic”. Indro also stirred up and we looked at the watch, it was 4:30pm, we have been stuck in a traffic jam for over 3 hours and had dozed off in the coolness of the air condition. It was too late for us to go to Bhangarh now as the Google Map showed more than 2 hours to the destination which meant it would be dark when we reach…the authorities have deployed a picket to stop anyone from going inside the fort after 6pm/ darkness. We decided to turn back for Delhi… about a kilometer ahead we found a u-turn for our return journey and a kiosk selling tea and other beverages. We stopped for a cup of tea and took out our sandwiches. While there, I narrated to Indro what I saw apparently in my dream… to which Indro’s jaws dropped and he simply said, “You too saw the same?” He told me his side of the events which matched mine completely. How’s that even possible, I don’t know… we debated if we should tell others and after much deliberations, Indro suggested that we should tell the story through Aranyascope and let the readers reach their own conclusion.

Traversing through the thick traffic on NH8, we reached Delhi around 9:30 pm and went over to Anand Niketan Club for a drink (cheaper than the restaurants/ pubs) and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of food, a vast improvement since my last visit. Later, I dropped Indro at IGIA T-3 around midnight, well in time for his flight to the Middle East.

Kolkata, a crumpling metropolis filled with a mix of ancient heritage buildings and skyscrapers vying to capture the skylines, held within its depths the stories of both dreams fulfilled as well as shattered. It was in this city of contrasts that DCP Rudra, recently relocated to Lalbajar, Kolkata on promotion from Bhubaneshwar, found himself at the centre of an intriguing case.

It all began with the disappearance of renowned business tycoon, Arindam Banerjee. The news sent shockwaves through the city, leaving the public, media and the police force alike scrambling for answers. Arindam Banerjee was a man of immense wealth and power, his influence reaching every corner of the city’s political and business class. It was rumored that he was particularly close to some relative of the Chief Minister and therefore enjoyed immunity from the laws of the land.

Rudra, a seasoned investigator with sharp intuition and analytical bent of mind, was immediately assigned to lead the case. As he delved into Arindam Banerjee’s life, he discovered a web of secrets and hidden agendas…the tycoon had built his empire through questionable means often using political clouts, leaving a trail of disgruntled associates and bitter rivals who would love to see him dead.

Rudra engrossed in thoughts was driven back to his home in Salt Lake City, a sprawling 3000 sqft apartment on the 10^th floor of newly constructed building. He had bought the apartment when the construction started 4 years ago purely as an investment and now lived here for past 5 months since being transferred to the city of joy. Sravani opened the door and said, “Look who’s here”. Rudra was pleasantly surprised to see his friend Aniket Mathur, the banker turned author. He was in the city on assignment to do a coffee table book on Kolkata’s changing skyline. He had checked into ITC Sonar and called Sravani who had very vocally insisted that he check-out from there and live with them at their new apartment. It had 4 bedrooms and enough manpower to look after his needs and comfort.

Over dinner, Rudro told them about the new case he has been assigned and informed his intent of visiting Arindam Banerjee’s home in South Kolkata the following morning. Aniket asked if could join him as he had planned to visit that particular house for research for his assignment.

Arindam Banerjee’s mansion was an opulent palace nestled in the heart of South Kolkata. The house oozed luxury right from the electrically operated ornate gate and the lush green lawns that wrapped the main building. However, as you enter the hallway, the tales of treachery and deceit whispered in the air. Rudra met Arindam’s wife Sunanda, a woman whose beauty hid a steely determination. She insisted that Arindam’s disappearance was not a mere vanishing act but a carefully chalked out plan, a sinister design.

Rudra started questioning the household staff to dig out any hint of foul play or clues. It was during his conversation with the butler, Sukhdev that he learnt about the existence of Priya Chauhan, national beauty pageant finalist, also the personal secretary of Banerjee and their clandestine affair. A few days ago Priya had suddenly turned up at the house late evening and Anirban had a heated argument with her in his study after which she was summarily sacked from the job. He could not elaborate as to the conversation which was in (English) language beyond his comprehension.

Rudro’s investigation led him to the humble abode of Priya in the residential block of Kasba. The apartment was ransacked, suggesting that someone or a bunch of people had been searching for something important but it was not clear if they were successful. There was no sign of Priya, either she had fled before the thugs arrived or have been kidnapped by them. The latter possibility became evident when Rudro discovered a stack of confidential files from a hidden compartment of Priya’s wardrobe. The files unveiled a sinister network of corruption and illicit dealings with Banerjee at the centre besides revealing the names of few ministers and officials in the state government. It was very hot property; he needed to see the commissioner urgently.

Mr. Arjun Singh, the commissioner with vast experience at the top level understood the gravity of the information and told Rudro to keep it under the wraps before more evidence is available, especially from the media. Both officers had had forgettable encounters with the media and had developed pathological dislike for them, so the media waiting outside simply got a “No comments” from Rudro as he emerged from the commissioner’s office.

As he was getting into the car, he received an anonymous call asking him to meet the caller at a seedy bar in China Town. He told the driver to take him there but drop him few blocks beyond of the spot. He wanted to check out the place from a distance before approaching.

As he entered the dimly lit bar which was thinly occupied at that hour, a plumpish guy from the corner table rose to wave at him and introduced himself as Ashim Kundu, former employee of Galaxy Enterprises, the flagship venture of Arindam Banerjee. After assurances from Rudro that his identity will remain a secret, Kundu revealed that there exists a powerful organization simply known as “The Syndicate”, a very shadowy group of influential people operating in the city’s underbelly, manipulating events from behind the scenes. The Syndicate was not only involved in betting rackets but every other kind of criminal activity, they are the modern day mafia, fearsome and more powerful than the govt.

Rudro’s pursuit of the truth took him deeper into the city’s criminal underbelly using his trusted informers. He discovered that as Kundu said, The Syndicate had its fingers in every major illegal operation from drug trafficking to money laundering as well as human trafficking. Their influence extended beyond the city limits, reaching into the highest echelons of power. As Rudro connected the dots, he realized that Arindam Banerjee had been involved in a grand scheme to topple The Syndicate, using his own resources to gather evidence against them. But his plan had backfired, may be because of treachery within his own team and he had become the target. Rudro concluded that either Banerjee has been eliminated without trace by The Syndicate or his disappearance is a self induced elaborate ploy to throw The Syndicate off his trail.

Rudro, armed with his newfound knowledge, met the Commissioner once again. Both agreed that they have to move swiftly and decided to form a team of trusted officers to infiltrate The Syndicate to find their secret headquarters and storm the place at an opportune time. The showdown was inevitable… Justice must prevail. It took the officers a week to successfully infiltrate the organization called The Syndicate and they received confirmed information that a large consignment of drugs are due to arrive at the warehouse situated near Madhyamgram which is also the headquarters of The Syndicate. There would be an auction of the drugs on the appointed day and most of the leaders of the gang are expected to be present for the auction.

Rudro, in consultation with the Commissioner, set up a team of Special Forces Commandos to storm the warehouse when it was full house. His instruction was clear, “No Prisoners”, he knew that with the clout that The Syndicate has, arresting the criminals was meaningless, all of them would be out in the society and continue to thrive in their illegal activities.

At around 5:30 pm, at the signal from his point’s man inside the warehouse, Rudro along with Special Forces Commandos stormed the warehouse. It was not clear who fired first but soon the place witnessed fierce gun battle. Rudro’s team was outnumbered by 10:1 but they were more skilled and they systematically eliminated most of the criminals and others laid down their arms and surrendered. The Supreme Leader of The Syndicate, simply known as DC was still missing but information received suggested that he was there within the warehouse. Rudro, gathered a handful of commandos and kept searching for the elusive DC. At last he found him hiding inside a toilet… as Rudro kicked open the door of the toilet, DC fired in the open gap but missed Rudro who had skillfully side stepped immediately after breaking the door. Now, Rudro fired a burst of 3 rounds which instantly killed the infamous DC who was none other than a senior minister of the state government, Durlabh Chatterjee.

The news of DC’s death in police encounter and arrest of the Syndicate members besides the large haul of drugs sent shockwaves through the city, exposing the deep-rooted corruption that had plagued the system. The opposition promptly demanded resignation of the CM and imposition of President’s Rule in the state.

Three days later, once the dust had settled, an informal meeting happened at Rudro’s home, present there were the Commissioner himself with his wife, Sunanda Banerjee, Aniket Mathur and Sravani. After a sumptuous dinner consisting of Biriyani and Korma from the famed Arsalan, Rudro began his monologue…

“Interrogating Subhan Khan, the right hand man of DC revealed that Arindam Banerjee was abducted and killed while he was going to meet a certain govt. official, the body was cremated inside the warehouse which was in derelict condition in an isolated location, and no one noticed the act.

As regards, Priya Chauhan, she was the mole planted by The Syndicate. Three days before his brutal murder, Arindam had found out about her and confronted her… she of course denied it but was sacked from her job. It was Arindam’s goons who went to her apartment to look for the confidential files and ransacked it. However, Priya sensing the onslaught fled in a hurry without the files…she was last seen at the Dubai Airport immigration counter…a look out notice has been issued against her and Dubai police is hunting her down as at this moment.

The Kingpin DC or Durlabh Chatterjee had to die for his death sentence was written at a very high office. Arresting him could have toppled the government and that was not the wish of the high command at the centre as well.”

Sunanda took a deep breath and said, “Rudro da, I would like you to assist me in dismantling the tainted businesses of Arindam in a manner that doesn’t hurt or tarnish the image of the family”.

Rudra sighed and said, “Well, I am not very good at that kind of job but I can definitely recommend someone present in this room who is both qualified and capable to do what you want. May I present Mr. Aniket Mathur, Chartered Accountant, ex-banker with creative bent of mind. I guess the only compensation he would demand is to study the architecture of Banerjee Mansion for his current project”.

Sunanda looked at Aniket expectantly who nodded his head in affirmation and smiled. Sunanda smiled back. Somewhere, someone wrote, “Perhaps it is going to be a new beginning for both”.

Months passed, Rudro’s relentless pursuit  brought the end of The Syndicate…the case became a turning point, a symbol of hope that justice could prevail even in the face of overwhelming darkness. As the City of Joy, healed from the wounds of betrayal and treachery, DCP Rudro continued on his mission to cleanse the city of its deep-rooted corruption. The battle was far from over but armed with the truth, he vowed to protect the innocent and eliminate the criminals.

Kolkata won the battle but the war is still on…     

Part 1: An Unsettling Arrival

In the quiet town of Lansdowne, nestled deep within the heart of a dense forest, an old mansion stood as a mysterious monument of the past. The mansion, known as Charles Sahib ka Bunglow, had been abandoned for decades, shrouded in dark tales and whispers of its haunting past. Its eerie silhouette cast a long shadow over the pine trees, invoking an unsettling feeling in anyone who dared to glance its way.

On a cold winter’s night, a young couple, Shreya and Mukul, decided to embark on an adventure, fueled by their curiosity and a desire for thrills. They had heard countless legends about Charles Sahib ka Bunglow but dismissed them as mere superstition. Determined to unravel the truth behind the rumors, they gathered their courage and set foot upon the overgrown path that led to the foreboding mansion.

As they approached the front door, creaking and groaning with each step, a sense of foreboding washed over them. The rusty doorknob yielded reluctantly, as if reluctant to grant them entry. The moment the door swung open, a chilling draft of air enveloped them, carrying a whisper that echoed through the empty halls.

Part 2: Whispering Shadows

The interior of Charles Sahib ka Bunglow was shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by the pale moonlight filtering through the broken windows. Every step Shreya and Mukul took echoed through the vast emptiness, amplifying their apprehension. The oppressive silence seemed to have a life of its own, as if the house itself was holding its breath, waiting to exhale.

As they ventured further, strange phenomena began to unfold. Shadows danced upon the walls, seemingly alive, casting eerie silhouettes that twisted and contorted with each passing moment. Shreya and Mukul exchanged nervous glances, their breath catching in their throats.

In the grand library, the couple stumbled upon a collection of old books, covered in a thick layer of dust. Intrigued, Shreya reached out to touch one, and as her finger brushed against the aged pages, a faint whisper echoed through the room. The words were indistinguishable, but the feeling of melancholy lingered in the air.

Time seemed to warp within the walls of Charles Sahib ka Bunglow. Minutes turned into hours, and hours into an eternity. Shreya and Mukul lost track of their whereabouts as the mansion played tricks on their senses. The rooms shifted and rearranged themselves, leading them in endless circles through corridors that seemed to stretch into infinity.

Part 3: Faces in the Dark

In their desperate attempt to find an exit, Shreya and Mukul stumbled upon a hidden chamber concealed behind a crumbling wall. The air grew heavy with anticipation as they stepped into the secret room, adorned with faded tapestries and cobweb-covered portraits.

As the couple’s eyes fell upon the portraits, they froze in terror. The faces depicted were distorted and twisted, bearing expressions of anguish and despair. The eyes of the paintings seemed to follow them, their gaze penetrating their very souls. A cold shiver ran down their spines as they realized they were not alone.

From the depths of the chamber, whispers grew louder, mingling with guttural moans that sent chills down their spines. Shreya and Mukul could feel a malevolent presence surrounding them, tightening its grip on their fragile sanity.

Part 4: Unraveling the Curse

Driven to madness by the ceaseless torment, Shreya and Mukul clung to each other, their hearts pounding in their chests. They knew they had to uncover the truth behind the curse that bound Charles Sahib ka Bunglow, for their own survival and the sake of those who had met their demise within its walls.

Through relentless research, they discovered that the mansion had once belonged to a wealthy family with a dark secret. The patriarch, Charles Ravenshaw, had dabbled in forbidden arts, seeking immortality. As a consequence of his unholy experiments, the mansion became a gateway to the spirit realm, trapping lost souls within its walls.

Armed with this knowledge, Shreya and Mukul embarked on a perilous journey to break the curse. They gathered talismans and performed rituals, channeling their courage and determination into each action. With each passing trial, the presence of the spirits intensified, manifesting in violent poltergeist activity that threatened to tear them apart.

Part 5: The Final Stand

As the couple reached the climax of their quest, they stood before an ancient artifact—an ornate silver amulet believed to possess the power to sever the ties between the spirit realm and Charles Sahib ka Bunglow. With trembling hands, they recited incantations passed down through generations, their voices blending into a harmonious plea.

The mansion shook violently as the ritual took effect, walls cracking and ceiling fixtures crashing to the ground. The spirits, once trapped in eternal torment, let out piercing wails, their ethereal forms dissipating into the air like smoke. The curse was finally broken, and peace was restored to Charles Sahib ka Bunglow.

Shreya and Mukul stood in the aftermath, their bodies exhausted but hearts filled with relief. The once-ominous mansion now stood as a testament to their bravery, a monument to the triumph of light over darkness.

Epilogue: The Lingering Mystery

Years passed, the legend of Charles Sahib ka Bunglow slowly faded into memory. The town of Lansdowne thrived, and its residents moved on, ignorant of the horrors that once consumed the forsaken mansion.

But whispers carried on the wind, tales of shadowy figures glimpsed in the corners of one’s vision and distant echoes of haunting melodies. Some believed that remnants of the curse still lingered, a reminder of the price paid for tampering with the supernatural.

And so, Charles Sahib ka Bunglow remained, a silent sentinel, keeping its secrets locked within its ancient walls, waiting for the next brave souls to uncover its mysteries and awaken the spirits that lay dormant within.