“The Return Gift (Arrest and Deportation of Roshan Ansari)” continues…

All he said by way of goodbye was: ‘‘‘Neeraj, your tenure in the CBI has not been an ordinary one. But it is time for us to part.’’’

The message was loud and clear. Despite feeling hurt and pained at the cussedness of it all, I wound up, as soon as I could, and left. No formal farewell, no emotional goodbyes from the organisation I had served devotedly for nearly nine years, arguably the most productive part of my police career.

I later learnt that there was much more to it than met the eye. An economic offender - also a public servant - was behind my sudden repatriation. He had been booked by my team in 1999 and eventually charge-sheeted in two cases in 2002. The white collar criminal was extremely well networked with powers that be and ensured I was given no further extension. Perhaps, my Director would still have stood his ground and ensured my retention but, my guess is, the newcomer to the CBI I mentioned earlier, realised it was time for him to strike. Presumably, he advised the Director that it wouldn’t be in his (Director’s) best interests to hold on to me any further. The newcomer, who had the Director’s ear, felt his pre-eminent position in the organisation, was under threat on account of my continuance. Be that it may, I was happy to be back in the Delhi Police where again I continued my work against terror and organised crime.

In March 2002, after joining the Delhi Police, I thought of taking a much needed break. The formal posting order assigning me to a particular position in the Delhi Police was yet to come from the Government of Delhi. I took leave for a few days and my wife and I travelled to Dubai - my favourite hunting ground – on vacation. It was the 25th anniversary of our marriage and the trip was meant to be a gift from me to my wife.

To be continued…