CHAKRAVARTHI SKIPS AFTER DUPING GUILLIBLES

sandman

A HUMOUROUS ARTICLE FROM THE DAILY MIRROR :

Chakravarti skips after duping gullibles

Holmangedara Lodge Part 61.

Date and Time: 9.30 am September 21 Sunday.

The Scene: About 20 visitors are seated in the verandah of the Holmangedara lodge waiting their turn to meet Chandi Silva who is already attentively listening to a problem being explained to him by a ‘client’.

Chandi Silva: Mr.Ranadewa, I can remember that you accompanied my friend Chakravarti on several of his visits to me at this lodge. Of course, I had occasion to give him some tips on how he should handle his affairs. He was doing well for sometime, but he went too far-I mean overstepped his limits when he took to the gambling in a big way! Ranadeva: I am happy that you remember me.

Chandi: Police have not questioned you since Chakravarti skipped the country?

Ranadeva: No. But sooner or later police will come after me. You have to save me before they tighten the noose round my neck!

Chandi: Can you explain the nature of your involvement in Chakravarti’s affairs?

Ranadeva: I accompanied him to Casinos, settled his gambling debts and collected his winnings. Chakravarti lavishly spent on his girl friends and I maintained the accounts of the money transactions he had with them.

Chandi: You, yourself took a shine to some of the girls and had a fling with them on the sly?

Ranadeva: (with a shy smile) yes. I did.

Chandi: As you handled Chakravarti’s financial dealings, you must be having some unspent funds still in your hands?

Ranadeva: Yes. I do have!

Chandi: Mr.Ranadeva, give me four lakhs, I need this money immediately for some powerful politicians who will look after you. You may give me my fee when you are out of the woods! Now go back home without a worry in your head!

Ranadewa: Thank you, Mr. Silva, (Ranadeva leaves the lodge. Chandi beckons a young client who is invited to sit).

Chandi: Your face is quite familiar to me. However, I cannot immediately place you!

Visitor: (Grinning from ear to ear) Thank you for remembering me. I am CM’s private secretary Muthubanda. I had the honour of meeting you several times when you were campaigning for our Boss at the recent elections!

Chandi: Now I remember. Your boss spoke to me. He said that he would be sending a messenger who would explain the problem!

Muthubanda: Our Boss has posed for several photos with Chakravarti and received money from him as a contribution to his election fund!

He wants you to recover these photos and also destroy any available documents that could provide a clue to the money transactions he had had with him!

Chandi: I can certainly do it. However, it costs money! Tell your boss that Chakravarti has posed for pictures even with much bigger bosses.

Muuthubanda: My Boss knew it. I have brought the money. If you need more for your expenses, do not hesitate to contact him!

(Muthubanda leaves the lodge and another ‘client’ takes the seat vacated by Muthubanda).

Chandi: You are Mr. Attanayake? Mr. Gunawansa’s brother-in-law?

Mr. Attanayake: Gunawansa is likely to be charge-sheeted for dereliction of duty shortly. You have to save him Mr. Silva.

Chandi: I know he should have taken action against Chakaravarti. If he had been properly doing his duty, Chakravarti’s ‘crash’ that has hit so many innocent people could have been averted!

Attanayake: He is prepared to face the Neglect of Duty Charge. What he fears is that he might be hauled before the Bribery Commission!

Chandi: Well, I know, he has solicited and accepted a big bribe to suppress the investigations! What does he want me to do?

Attanayake: To trace all incriminating evidence and destroy it!

Chandi: That is a tall order, but I will do my best.

Attanayake: Thank you! Look after us. We will look after you, Mr. Silva,

(Mr. Attanayake leaves the lodge and Chandi Silva motions to another client)

Chandi: Please sit down, Mr. Dolapihilla. None of my clients, I hope, had recognized you!

Dolapihilla: If people see me in my uniform, they would readily recognize me. They would not when I am in civvies.

Chandi: I heard that you had got deeply involved with Chakravarti. I think you are the highest-ranking officer in the department to be involved!

Dolapihilla: Yes. He paid me well for protecting him!

Chandi: That amounts to bribery and corruption! Did you also invest in his company?

Dolapihilla: I did. But that is not a big amount!

Chandi: I know your position. You cannot take any legal action against him. You are only worried about possible incriminating evidence against you!

Dolapihilla: Yes. You have hit the nail on the head!

Chandi: Mr. Dolapihilla, I am a man with principles. I cannot forget that you had helped me out of several difficult situations in the past. You know that I myself, am not a saint! I will help you to get out of this mess without charging a red cent for my troubles!

Dolapihilla: Thank you, Chandi. You are a real friend! (Dolapihilla leaves the lodge).

(Chandi Silva after excusing himself for a brief absence walks up to Lenin Deshabandu reading a newspaper in the sitting room)

Lenin: Chandi, is your consultation service over?

Chandi: No. There are a few more clients!

Lenin: How is the practice? Lucrative?

Chandi: Thanks to the busting of the Chakravarti racket, I am going to make a fortune!

Lenin: I feel that a few people are going to get into hot water!

Chandi: Nonsense! Lenin Sahodaraya, Chakravarti case symbolizes the real nature of our body politic, which is rotten to the core!

The high and mighty are always above the law!

Lenin: Do you mean that the fraudster and his accomplices will go scot free?

Chandi: Quite possible! Usually rogue politicians aided by underworld goons, corrupt policemen and businessmen and bureaucrats take the people for a ride and get away with it! The difference in this case is a corrupt businessman has played the lead role aided by the other usual elements.

Comments to E-mail: holmangedara@yahoo.com

(All characters and incidents referred to in this column are fictitious and have no relation to any persons or incident in real life).

I AM BRAINLESS, SO PLEASE EXCUSE ME !!!!!!