Case of mistaken identity

Case of mistaken identity
J.L. Gupta

Paddy and Seelu were born in different families. One was rich. The other was always in need. The family of one was known. Virtually famous. Theother's name was almost unheard of. But they were good friends. Very fond of each other. Both were good at studies.

Paddy had graduated. Soon he was off to England to do his bar. Two years later, he was back as a barrister. Set up his practice. He had all that anyone might have asked for. Tall and handsome, always immaculately dressed, very presentable. As expected, he was a resounding success. Especially amongst the distinguished members of the legal fraternity in the whole state. Seelu financed his studies by giving tuitions. While studying for his M.A. he was selected for the IPS and allocated to one of the southern states.

Destiny decrees all events. Decades later, the two were again together. Paddy had been appointed as the state's Governor. Seelu was the Director General of Police. Both were supposed to restore law and order. The State was under the President's rule. Bureaucracy and the police were managing the affairs. But the plight of police was unenviable.

One morning, Paddy rang up his friend Seelu to tell him -- ``I have lost my black `Pasha'. It is my favourite. Somebody has stolen it. You have got to find it. I am really sentimental about it.''

Seelu thought for a minute. Paddy is fond of pedigreed pets. So, someone must have taken it away. On further enquiries from dependable friends, he felt it must be a dog. Possibly a black Labrador. And without wasting even a moment, he issued the necessary instructions. Both in writing and orally on the phone, even on wireless to all the police stations in the State.

By the evening, the reports had begun to come in from all the police districts. The search was on. And it was clear that all the black dogs were being rounded up. In certain cases with the owners for no fault of theirs. And they were even being questioned about the place from where the pet had been purchased. The pedigree certificates were being examined to see if any one could have met the Boss's strict standards.

Next morning Seelu was in office at seven despite the cold weather. He was soon scanning the reports. These gave him cause for optimism. He was happy to notice that they had got many leads. Soon the real one shall be identified. He would be able to go back to his friend-cum-boss with a positive report. He was almost ecstatic.

Soon there were identical six reports from six different districts. The `thief has been caught. He has been arrested. He has confessed. A black dog that responds to `Pasha' has been recovered. It is being sent to Chandigarh by an AC car.''

Seelu was amused, a bit intrigued. But he thought that the real one should be easy to identify. He should wag his tail at the very sight of the master. So he waited. The six distinguished visitors arrived. All looked beautiful. Pedigreed stock. These had to be taken to the Governor. He was almost excited. The whole night he had been dreaming about the dogs and the masters.

Early morning there was a call from Paddy. ``Seelu! I have found my `Pasha'.

``But Sir! We have caught the thieves. Six of them. We have even recovered the six black Labradors. And all the six men have confessed. Sir! My boys have done an excellent job.''

``Oh! My God! Who have been caught? Who have confessed? What have you recovered? I had only misplaced my `Cartier' pen. `Pasha' is the model. It was in my pocket. I have found it.''