“Devil Wears ‘Khaadi’ (The Unmasking of Romesh Sharma)” continues…

In all likelihood, given his track record of an irascible and violent person , Sharma would refuse and resort to some strong-arm response. Rao was then to lodge a report in the local police station Hauz Khas, which would register a case and we would have it transferred to the CBI. The plan was approved by our seniors and shared with the local police officers who decided to go alongwith us.

On October 20, 1998 Suresh Rao accompanied by his friend Rakesh Gupta, O.P. Chhatwal, SP/STF and I visited the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police, South District. While I waited in the office of Additional DCP, Chhatwal proceeded to the Mayfair Garden residence of Sharma with Rao and Gupta. Rao went in as Chhatwal and Gupta stood on watch outside at a safe distance. Very soon they saw Sharma dragging Rao out by the scruff of his neck, bundling him in his (Sharma’s) car and driving off. Chhatwal trailed the car discreetly and saw it drive into 11, Mahadev Road, a sprawling government bungalow in the heart of the city.

Chhatwal and Gupta returned to the DCP’s office where I sat waiting. The then DCP South, after a few minutes of jittery nerves fearing the worst, directed Inspector Jasbir Malik of South District to proceed to 11, Mahadev Road office of Sharma to rescue Rao. Meanwhile, I walked into Sharma’s Mayfair residence with other CBI officers and the local police. His assorted domestic staff , alarmed by the arrival of the police in such large numbers, dared not offer any resistance. We began to search the premises and found the house had secret doors, escape routes much like we see in Bollywood movies. It also had a full-fledged gymnasium. Among other incriminating evidence were animal skins and a surfeit of expensive imported liquor bottles. But what were worth their weight in gold for us were numerous property papers hidden under the mattress of his bed. To my most pleasant surprise, they included the property papers of Ramesh Malik’s house in South Delhi as well.

To be continued...