49]"VICTORY & BLOOD"

                                    

                                          
Abhimaan
The atmosphere in the police station was thick with palpable tension. The air was saturated with the acrid scent of stale coffee and the stifling weight of bureaucracy.
Officers bustled about with brisk efficiency, their faces etched with the seriousness of their duties. 
The officer in charge, a burly man with a stern demeanor, greeted us with a forced politeness. "Mr. Rajvansh, Mr. Chauhaan, please take a seat. We need to discuss the charges against you."
I settled into a chair, my gaze steady and unflinching. "Discuss? There's nothing to discuss. You're making a grave mistake."
The officer's expression remained impassive. "We have evidence from CCTV footage and witness statements. Ayaan Rajvansh has filed charges of assault against you, Mr. Rajvansh. We also need to investigate the murder of the guards."
Veer, seated beside me, looked exhausted and frail, which made me grit my teeth in frustration. I loathed dragging him through this ordeal while he was already in pain, but it was part of our strategy to elicit sympathy, as Aditya had advised. 
Veer cleared his throat and spoke with a faint but determined edge. "If you think you're going to get away with this, you're gravely mistaken."
The officer responded with a formal, condescending tone. "You need to calm down, Mr. Chauhaan. We are merely abiding by the law."
Before I could retort, a voice from behind us cut through the tension. "So, refusing to investigate a patient who is not proven guilty at his home and dragging him to the station is 'abiding by the law,' Mr. Kapoor?"
Adi stood behind us, his presence commanding immediate attention and respect. The room fell silent, acknowledging the gravity of his arrival.
"Mr. Raichand... Th-This is Vyas Kapoor," the officer stammered, rising to extend his hand. His recognition of Adi was immediate; Aditya Raichand, a formidable lawyer known for his relentless pursuit of justice, was a name known throughout India. Though he adhered to the law, he was not above bending it when necessary, his loyalty lying solely with justice itself.
"I believe I asked a question," Adi said, his tone nonchalant yet edged with a sharpness that left no room for pleasantries. Kapoor's hand, extended in a gesture of formality, was awkwardly withdrawn. 
The officer's face betrayed a hint of embarrassment, a realization too late to salvage the situation. I reclined lazily in my chair, allowing Adi to take the lead—after all, this was his domain.
"It's just that Mr. Chauhaan refused to allow us to take Mr. Rajvansh alone, sir," Kapoor continued, his voice faltering. "And if you file charges against us, we will simply pay the penalty. That's acceptable."
Adi stepped forward, carrying a briefcase with a decisive air. "Let's address that later. We have substantial evidence that might be of interest to you."
The officer's expression remained inscrutable. "What kind of evidence?"
Adi opened the briefcase and produced a folder brimming with documents. "This evidence outlines several illegal activities within your department—bribery, cover-ups, and more. I am confident that you would prefer to address these issues rather than continue pursuing baseless charges against my clients."
A murmur of unease rippled through the room. Officers exchanged nervous glances, their earlier confidence now replaced with anxiety. The officer in charge's eyes narrowed as he took in the implications. "Are you threatening us?"
"I am presenting facts," Adi replied calmly. "These documents are merely the beginning. We have recordings and testimonies that corroborate every claim. If my clients are not cleared of these charges and the real culprits within your department are not investigated, this information will be made public."