A man with two lives
Drowning man saved
There was a big gathering at Drupadi Ghat on Ganges river at Allahabad. Many were worshiping in the Hanuman temple after taking holy dip in the river. Men, women and children were enjoying boating and swimming. Suddenly, somebody cried aloud - 'A man is drowning!' Many swam fast in the direction of the voice. They saw a man drowning. They saved him and brought to the river bank. The man was unconscious. As nobody recognized him, local police took the man to hospital.
The saved man loses memory
The man gained consciousness three days later but he could not even tell his name. He had lost his memory. From way of talk, it appeared that he belonged to Eastern Uttar Pradesh. After waiting for a week, the police issued advertisement in major newspaper and Television seeking information about that unidentified man from anyone who recognized him.
There was no response for one week. Next week an old man came with a young woman. He recognized the unidentified man as his son, Prahalad Singh. He introduced the young woman as Shakuntala, his daughter in law and wife of Prahalad Singh. He told that they lived at Kanpur. But there was no other evidence. The man did not show any sign of recognizing the newly arrived persons claiming to be his father and wife respectively.
The police could accept their version. But meanwhile another woman from Meerut entered the hospital and introduced herself as Kamala, wife of Suraj Singh. She recognized that man as her husband, Suraj Singh. Police was in a state of confusion. There was no way they could rely on any of them. None had any documentary evidence.
But police felt relieved when some police officers came from Kanpur and recognized the man as Prahalad Singh. There was a case of embezzlement against Prahalad singh in Kanpur. Four years back, a finance company had lodged complaint against Prahalad Singh, who was manager of that company. Prahalad Singh was missing since then.
But Kamala was firm that the man was definitely her husband. She managed to call some relatives from Meerut who witnessed the truth of what Kamala stated and also brought some photographs and documents proving that the man in hospital bed was really Suraj Singh.
As the man was still unable to recognize any one, police advised both sides to leave and wait till the man could recollect. Police also needed time to inquire in the case. Medical treatment of the unidentified man was of foremost importance.
The unidentified man gains faint memory
A few weeks later, the unidentified man showed some signs of recovering memory. He could only say that he was from Meerut. He also stated that his life was in danger. some of his enemies had thrown him in river but somehow he escaped death. The police thought of a plan. They advised the man to keep silent on his identity and not reveal any way that he had regained some memory. This would enable them to inquire in the matter and find out the mystery behind attempted murder.
Police investigation begins
Two police parties went to Kanpur and Meerut respectively. They visited the residences of both women who claimed that the unidentified man was their husband. Both parties came back. But this left the police more confused. Although The man had accepted that he came from Meerut, there was enough evidence to prove his activities in Kanpur in a different name. It appeared that the unidentified man was living two lives- one at Kanpur and another at Meerut. Both women- one at Kanpur and another at Meerut- had photo albums of wedding ceremony. Also, there was evidence of his employment at both places.
There was already a police case of embezzlement against Prahlad singh. The police looked at the possibility of Prahald Singh absconding from Kanpur and living in another identity at Meerut. Prahalad singh was absconding from Kanpur for four years only. But Suraj Singh was married to Kamala at Meerut much earlier. So was he living at both places in different identities.
Fake investment company at Meerut
There was also a question baffling police. who threw Prahalad or Suraj in river. There must be some enemy of either Prahalad or Suraj. As he was absconding from Kanpur for several years, there was more possibility of attempted murder by some body at Meerut. There appeared no threat to Suraj from Kamala. There was no other near relative at Meerut. Kamala told that her husband Suraj had formed a finance company named Dhan Laxmi investment & Finance companies with some other friends. On inquiry, it was revealed that Suraj was one of the directors in the company. The police further investigated the matter by visiting the office of Dhan Laxmi Investmewnt & Finance Company. The employees told that Anil Verma, Chairman and Managing Director and Suraj Singh had heated talk several times on financial matter. The company had earned crores of rupees. Anil Verma refused to give Suraj any large amount saying that entire capital was contributed by him and Suraj had no real status except that of an employee and his designation as director had no significance. The police also found that Anil Verma and Suraj singh both were missing for a few months.
Police then visited the residence of Anil Verma. There they found that the house was locked. The neighbors told that Anil Verma had left a few months ago for some pleasure tour but had not yet returned. The police again visited the office premises of the company. The accountant of the company told that various investors had invested crores of rupees in the company. Bulk of the money had already been withdrawn by Anil Verma.
The police collected some photographs and other documents from the company and came back to Allahabad. They showed photo of Anil Aggarwal to Suraj alias Prahalad. The police talked strictly this time and warned against any misstatement. The man broke down and wept bitterly.
He said that his original name is Prahalad and he originally belonged to Saharanpur. His parents married him to Shakuntala and he lived happily with her. But some times, he would go to Meerut where his girlfriend kamala lived. He secretly performed wedding with Kamala also and alternatively moved between Kanpur and Meerut. He admitted that he was greedy and also adventurous. He admitted embezzlement of funds at Kanpur. Thereafter, he went to Meerut and spent all time there. He also formed a company with Anil Verma. He operated all his bank accounts at Meerut in name of Suraj. He really had lived two lives- one as Prahalad at Kanpur and other as Suraj at Meerut. The company had collected crores of rupees. Anil Verma had planned to leave India for ever and take entire money with him. But Suraj insisted that he must get a fair share- at least 25% of the entire cash but Anil Verma had turned dishonest to him also. One day, Suraj threatened to disclose entire financial bungling to police. Then Anil Verma told him that he had already shifted cash to his home. He promised Suraj to give him ten crore rupees in cash and asked him to accompany him. Then, Anil and his family along with him left Meerut. Anil told that they would bathe in Ganges at Allahabad before going to his residence. Leaving family in hotel, Anil accompanied Suraj to river Ganges near Drupadi Ghat. All of a sudden, Anil kicked Suraj hard and he fell in the river. Thereafter what happened every one knows.
Criminal cases in process
Police also brought the case to notice of company law affairs who would investigate the case from another angle. Soon, Anil was arrested. He is being tried for attempted murder of his co-director. He is also facing trial by company law authorities for illegal transactions and misusing public money. Sujraj alias Prahalad also faces similar action as co accused. Also, he is charged with embezzlement at Kanpur.
Living happily with two wives
the cases in court will go on. Presently, Prahalad has dropped his alias Suraj. He is living happily with two wives- Shakuntala and Kamala. Both are ideal co wives (sautans). Now Prahalad is a chastened man. Let us hope that he will mend his ways and live honestly and his married life will be smooth.
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