In India, English was not just a language—it was a status symbol.
Even within the Spanda Police Station, English proficiency determined one's influence. The station chief struggled with the language, and only the deputy chief, a high-caste Kshatriya, spoke it fluently.
Next in line was Rohan Mahesh. Though not fluent, his basic communication skills were better than most.
Since the deputy chief had no interest in acting as a translator, all English-related tasks fell to Rohan.
This gave him an unusual position of importance despite his low rank as a Second-Class Police Officer. Even the chief occasionally praised him—but Rohan knew that praise meant nothing in the real world.
His mother, however, thought otherwise. She believed that his English skills could secure him a promotion.
But Rohan wasn't naive.
Even a simple promotion from Second-Class to First-Class Police Officer was fiercely competitive.
The Harsh Reality of Promotions
The Spanda Police Station had about 100 officers, distributed as follows:
10 Inspectors 5 Sergeants 25 First-Class Police Officers 60+ Second-Class Police Officers (including Rohan)
Many of these Second-Class Officers had been waiting for promotions for 10-20 years. Experience mattered, and in this aspect, Rohan had no advantage.
More importantly, promotions weren't free—they required bribes.
In India, money moved everything. Promotions, transfers, and even good assignments depended on who was willing to pay.
No money? No promotion.
Rohan's family had barely enough to survive. His parents worked odd jobs in the slums, and without Rohan's police salary, they wouldn't even make ends meet.
This was why he never went to college despite having decent grades—there was no money for higher education.
But now, Rohan wasn't the same person.
He wanted that promotion. Even a small step up would separate him from the lowest ranks.
Finding Another Way
If money wasn't an option, he needed an alternative strategy.
The only other way to earn a promotion was through meritorious service—solving big cases, gaining favors from superiors, or proving his worth.
Last night, Rohan dug into his memories. Something had changed in him—his memory was sharper.
Events, news, and crime reports from his previous life in Mumbai resurfaced in his mind.
He remembered cases—unsolved crimes, patterns, and incidents that had happened years ago.
Some of these cases fell under the Spanda Police Station's jurisdiction.
This was his opportunity.
If he could solve a major case, he could force the director's hand. A promotion wouldn't be optional—it would be necessary.
The Power Struggle in India
Rohan wasn't a businessman anymore. His past wealth and experience were useless without capital.
Right now, his only asset was his job as a police officer.
But even at this low level, there were privileges.
Being part of the law enforcement system meant power—and power in India meant everything.
This country was a place where the rich and powerful could do anything they wanted, while the poor suffered endlessly.
Rohan refused to be poor.
He had escaped the slums, and he had no intention of going back.
Life at the Police Station
That morning, Rohan left the slums, heading toward the police station.
The difference was staggering.
Beyond the slum walls, the city looked ordinary, but compared to the filth and chaos behind him, it was a different world.
Spanda Police Station covered both the slums and a few wealthier blocks.
On his way, Rohan stopped at a roadside stall for breakfast.
The food was unsanitary and unappetizing, but hunger won over standards.
Not that he paid for it.
Local police never paid for food at stalls. Vendors gave them meals for free—not out of kindness, but out of fear.
If they didn't, they'd be harassed by the police and forced to pay monthly protection fees.
This was one of the silent benefits of being in the system.
By the time Rohan reached the station, it was 9:00 AM.
Most junior officers arrived by 8:00 AM, while senior officers like the chief and deputy chief didn't bother coming in before 10:00 AM.
For now, his daily duties were simple:
Patrolling Managing traffic Maintaining order
But with Dharavi—one of the largest slums in the world—within his jurisdiction, crime was rampant.
And Rohan Mahesh had bigger plans than just walking the streets.