Manvat Murders (2024) s01e01 Episode Script

[insects chirping loudly]
[water gushing]
[bangles clinking]
[suspenseful music]
[suspenseful music continues]
No two murders
are ever alike.
And that is why
every murder investigation needs to be
handled differently.
And yet
certain investigative techniques
will help you crack the case sooner.
That's
what I feel.
I first stumbled upon this theory while
working on the Feroze Daruwala murder case.
But after I caught
Krushna Desai's murderers
I started believing in it.
[flies buzzing]
As for Raman Raghav
it was this technique again
that helped me the most.
This technique is
quite a simple one.
Just six questions actually.
Find answers to those questions
and the case will keep building.
Hmm.
Question number one.
[intense music begins]
Who is the victim?
[intense music continues]
Who's that?
Who's that there!
Pralhad?
Is that you, Pralhad?
Oi!
Answer me you idiot!
You know what's happening
in the village!
[music builds to a crescendo]
[woman screams] [axe thuds]
Question number two.
What is the actual cause of death?
Could the cause be different
from what's mentioned
in the post mortem report?
We need to mindful of this at all times.
We must find the truth
behind the truth.
Question number three.
Where was the murder committed?
It might not be, where
we find the body.
The body might've been moved
after committing the murder.
So it is necessary to ascertain
the scene of the crime.
Parvati bai!
Parvati!
Can you hear us?
Parvati!
Parvati bai!
Parvati bai!
Parvati bai!
Parvati bai!
Parvati!
Parvati bai!
[tense music playing]
[music builds to a crescendo]
Question number four.
When was the murder committed?
Without knowing
the time of the murder
you will never be able
to say with certainty,
where the suspects were at that time
and what they were doing.
Another murder! A seventh one, Sir!
It's the seventh one, Sir!
You mean Parvati Barhate?
She's dead!
Let's go, Paranje!
- Where was her body found?
- In her relative's field!
Found it early this morning.
Question number five.
What was the motive
behind the murder?
It isn't always easy
to answer this one.
The investigation might point
to several motives.
And they might all seem probable.
When you wade through
all that clutter
and find the actual motive
behind the murder
that's when
you'll be close to the end
of your investigation.
And now, the most important
question number six.
Any guesses?
Who could be the killer?
[soft sniggering]
As an investigating officer
you have to make an initial guess
based on all the evidence.
But
we could also be wrong.
Always bear that in mind.
After all this effort
finding the criminal
is still only half the job done.
You also have to prove it in court
for which you'll need
enough evidence.
But if you don't have it
you'll have to convince
one of the accused
to turn witness.
Excuse me, Sir
There's a call for you.
Give me a moment.
Please sit!
As I was saying, Sir
I know about this Manvat case.
Bombay CID in such a small village
that's a first.
I'm under a lot of pressure.
Seven murders in eighteen months
and not a single arrest!
Sir!
As you know
I'm working on two
important cases in Mumbai.
Ramakant.
I will make sure that all officers
working on those cases
will be in touch with you.
I've spoken to them.
If there is anyone
who can solve this case
then it's you.
That's what everyone
has been telling me.
As you say, Sir!
Make sure you leave tomorrow!
Yes, Sir!
Ramakant!
Best of luck!
Thank you, Sir.
Should we?
Hey, don't!
Anita!
Please sleep!
Come on, sleep now!
Baba, will you be here
on your birthday?
Darling! His birthday
is still a month away.
I'm sure a few days would be
enough for him to crack the case.
Right?
I'll be back. OK?
Off to bed now!
I'm going to count till three.
OK.
One.
Two.
Three.
[train horn blaring]
[indistinct chatter in the background]
Sir!
Why didn't you get a first class ticket?
Why spend unnecessarily?
This is just fine.
And you even get
to observe people here.
[ambient train sounds]
Hey, you!
- How much?
- 10 paisa.
Give me one.
Sir!
What's your famous sixth sense
telling you about this case?
My sixth sense is telling me
that
this case is going to be
a tough one to crack.
Sir!
But
what is your first impression
of this case?
Four minor girls
and three women
have been brutally killed
with a sharp hatchet-like weapon.
Hatchet?
I mean an axe.
Injuries have been inflicted
on their private parts with a sharp object.
Perhaps
to draw blood from there.
It all seems very ritualistic to me.
Some kind of occult practice.
And we know nothing about that.
That's exactly why I got this book.
The Witchcraft and Black Magic.
Oh good Lord! To study?
Yes. To study.
[train announcement over PA system]
Sir!
Sir, even the Kachiguda Express
arrived on time because of you.
Oi! Keep the bags in.
Sir!
Please don't! Damodar!
Sir!
You remember my name
after all these years!
Of course!
Well, Vakatkar, this is Damodar Shukla.
He used to work with me ten years ago
when I was posted here in Parbhani.
Sir, this is Ponkshe.
He's here to receive you.
He led investigations on behalf of
the state CID.
Hello, Sir!
Hello!
We spoke on the phone.
Yes.
Hello!
Please come, Sir!
[brakes screeching]
Do you want to die, fucker!
[mysterious music playing]
Kulkarni saheb! I'm sure
you'll solve this case.
But be careful.
Do you know him, Sir?
The whole of Parbhani knows him!
The situation is quite tense, Sir.
You won't find a single woman
on the street after sunset.
And the people of Manvat
don't trust the police anymore.
Sir
they don't even offer
a policeman some water!
When you took over this case
you'd arrested two suspects, right?
Yes.
Uttamrao Barhate and Rukminibai.
And who are they exactly?
This Uttamrao Barhate used to work
at a kirana store.
He studied on the side
and eventually landed up in politics.
He gradually made his way up
by cozying up to the right people.
And became the Chairman
of the Municipal Council.
He has a son from his first wife.
Jayant.
But he doesn't stay with his father.
To earn some money, he took Rukmini's
help and started a liquor business.
People from Rukmini's caste
live in this settlement.
That's the smell of mutton.
These people eat their mutton raw.
This is where Uttamrao met Rukmini.
She had good features and
was quite the looker
and Uttamrao was always
a little weak in the knees.
They hit it off.
Her husband had left her.
But he took her in.
And even paid her father a lot of money.
And brought her to the city.
Let's go!
[sudden gasp of pain]
Ow!
[winces in pain]
[gasps in pain]
[eerie music begins]
[door knock]
What is it!
Umm the lawyer is here.
Couldn't he have found a better time!
Is this any time to visit people!
Ask him to come back tomorrow!
I called him.
Ask him to sit. We'll be there.
Wipe it.
- Namaskar, Sir!
- Namaskar.
I am Senior Inspector Paranje.
Actually, I'm a big-
Sir, this is Yusuf. The caretaker, cook,
watchman and pretty much everything.
- Namaste.
Namaskar.
Sir!
So, Ponkshe!
Yes.
Those two, I mean Uttamrao
and Rukmini, right?
On what basis had we arrested them?
There are strong rumours that
there's treasure buried
under the peepal tree
in their mansion.
So?
People started hearing ritualistic sounds
from their wada after every murder.
Oh!
But then why were they released?
Because no one testified against them.
The magistrate didn't find
our evidence to be strong.
And then
when the next three murders
happened, they were in the lock up.
Ah!
So you had to release them.
Yes.
But we've succeeded
in banishing them from Manvat.
Both of them live in Parbhani now.
So they cannot meddle
in our investigation.
[rattling sound]
Namaskar!
Was it urgent-
For how long are we supposed
to stay like outcasts!
When can we go back to Manvat?
Sit down!
I'm trying my best.
You see
umm that is exactly why
we are filing a petition.
Nonsense!
Stop giving us false hopes,
Dusane saheb!
If we continue to live like this,
who will look after our farms!
Rukminibai's sister, Samindribai.
Isn't she taking care of your affairs?
Look
despite your absence
hasn't she managed
the liquor business well?
Listen, you fucker!
Don't be a wise ass.
I don't trust anyone.
And no one is immune
to the allure of money.
Move heaven and earth if you have
to but get us out of this mess.
It's not that easy.
An officer from the Mumbai Crime Branch
has taken over this case now.
His name is Ramakant Kulkarni.
You're not the only one
reading a newspaper.
They say he is a hardened officer.
If you ask me
let him take charge.
Let him investigate all he wants.
Once he goes back
you can go back to Manvat.
But why not now!
No one's going to intimidate me!
They're the financial overlords
of the village.
People don't have any money
and yet their liquor shops
are thriving.
Hmm.
They've more money
than you can imagine.
Right now, they're the only ones
who have money.
The entire village has mortgaged
houses to take a loan from them.
Who's going to stand up to them?
[coughing]
Careful. Here.
Vakatkar
if you want to stay here
you'll have to get used to this food.
Here.
Oh no!
What the
We'll have to get used to
these power cuts too.
Can't trust them one bit.
Thank you, Ambadas.
Thank you, saheb.
I think
it's quite late.
Get some rest.
Let's meet at the police station
at 7:30 in the morning.
Sharp.
[vehicle engine starts]
[eerie music playing]
[radio playing]
Yusuf!
- Can you please lock this?
- Yes, Sir.
Thank you.
[suspenseful music playing]
Sorry, sorry!
- Am I late?
- Not at all, Sir.
So Sonawane
how are you?
I'm OK, Sir.
Let's go.
[barking sound]
[suspenseful music continues]
Have you guys never tried
to raid Uttamrao's liquor shops?
His liquor shops are
impossible to find, Sir.
And their location keeps changing.
Even when we've tracked them down,
all we've found are traces.
And the distribution network?
That is an even bigger mystery.
From one person to another
then the third and fourth.
Sir
what is our line of action today?
Let's turn one of the guest house
rooms into the incidence room.
OK, Sir.
I'm going to need some things.
Tell me, Sir.
The largest map of Manvat
you can get your hands on
coloured chalks, sticky tape
and a big blackboard.
OK, Sir.
[ominous bird trill]
Name?
Datta Sutar.
What happened?
Someone stole my chicken
a couple of days ago.
It must have been devoured
and digested by now!
There's no point filing
this complaint, Dattabhau.
Someone decapitated it
and kept it by the door.
Early in the morning.
Oh is it!
[suspenseful music]
Some sort of black magic business!
The fucker is out to get me!
That's why he stole my chicken.
Umm
I'll drop the black magic part.
I'll keep the theft part, OK?
When was it stolen?
Where are you from?
From Patoda.
Patoda!
- My sister's marital village!
- Is it?
Yes!
Hey, stop chitchatting!
He's here!
Start playing!
[shehnai playing]
[shehnai continues]
Welcome, Sir.
Welcome to the
Manvat police station.
Please come in, Sir.
Please come, Sir.
Just petty thieves, Sir.
Fresh catch!
Hey, don't look up!
Please, this way, Sir.
Please sit here, Sir.
Right here.
For you, Sir.
What is this for?
Today is a very special day
for all of us.
So we've ordered it from the city.
Here.
What's so special about today?
I'd love to know.
I'll tell you, Sir.
We are
blessed to have
a great officer like you
grace our station..
with your esteemed presence.
We are very fortunate.
This divine moment
will forever be carved in our hearts
thanks to your presence.
Sir
it is our humble request to you
to ferry our lost ship to safety
and rescue us
with your vast experience.
[sound of clapping]
Someone please turn off
that squawking shehnai first.
Hey, guy from Patoda!
Stop that squawking! Stop it!
Hey!
Didn't you hear me! Stop it!
Assholes!
"The Manvat police have still not
caught the killer of innocent children."
"Why is the police incompetent?"
Have you been reading this?
Do you know what
everyone is saying about us?
Do you?
This is extremely humiliating
for our department.
Why the hell are you
distributing sweets?
To welcome me?
Am I a showman?
We made a mistake.
We're very sorry for that.
Let us all begin the search
from tomorrow.
Why tomorrow?
What is so auspicious about tomorrow?
Let's go.
Get all the files along.
Let's go to the place where
you found the first body.
Let's go.
Take the files.
[whistling sound]
[tense music playing]
Gaye!
Hurry up!
You carry on!
[tense music continues]
[music builds to a crescendo]
Look at this.
Who among you was
the first one to see Gayabai's body?
Me, I saw it.
Krishna Dhangare came to the police station
and said the girl's body is here.
My first guess was that
it must be Gayabai.
Because Sakharam, her father,
had filed a missing person report.
So I brought him here
to identify her body.
Whose farm is that?
Shrirang Barhate.
And the one on this side?
Uttamrao Barhate.
So are they related?
Not really.
Barhate is a common name here.
Paranje
Sir.
According to Gayabai's father
when she went missing
and he was looking for her
he had come to this place.
But he didn't find her body.
Not just him, I had come here myself.
And I didn't see a thing.
That means
it's like that boy said.
While she was collecting cow dung
someone kidnapped her
took her to an unknown place
and killed her.
So the body was
there for two days
and was then dumped here.
Umm, I guess so.
I mean that's what I think too.
Why would the killer do that?
But Sir
that means hiding the body
wasn't the motive.
Then what was the motive?
How did no one in the village
notice any of this?
Didn't they suspect anything?
What is the population of the village?
This is one of the bigger
villages in Parbhani.
But it's not so big that
an outsider would
come here and kill people.
Because an outsider
is very easy to spot.
Correct.
That means
the killer is a local.
He lives among the villagers.
Hurry up!
Sir.
[indistinct chatter in the background]
Why can't I see photos of
Gayabai's body?
Here they are, Sir.
Right here.
The body position, the wounds
and everything that
was around, in detail.
That's alright. But I want
the photographs.
Sorry, Sir.
There are no photos.
What do you mean?
What I mean is
no photos were taken.
Why?
We don't have police photographers
like you do in Mumbai.
We get our wedding
photographers to do this.
Right.
- What about the other photos?
- They're all there.
But not these.
The face was slashed multiple times
and disfigured.
Right, Sir.
Her father recognised her
from her birth mark.
But why was the face disfigured?
Let's go.
What's that?
That?
That's the Pandhrya temple.
Pandhrya?
What deity is that?
It may be a deity
it may not be a deity.
Care to explain, Paranje?
I mean it looks like a temple.
But no one prays here.
As in?
Why have they built it?
When the Nizam was attacked
all the villagers fled the village.
Some elders say that
there were more wealthy people
in Manvat than in Parbhani.
And all their money, gold, valuables
Get to the point, Paranje!
Hm.
They collected all that and buried it.
They then placed a white rock over it.
And built a temple around it.
Hmm.
So the villagers believe
that there's treasure buried here.
That's right, Sir.
The area around this temple
is known as the Pandhrya zone.
How many such sites in the village?
About 10 to 12.
10 or 12?
The first task for tomorrow is
to mark these sites on a map.
Yes, Sir.
Now tell me
if I was interested in black magic
are there any local spellcasters?
Kaachu Paaku.
He's the only one who does this.
Kaachu Paaku?
His real name is Kachhu Ladeeb.
But everyone calls him Kaachu Paaku.
Have you interrogated him?
We did but we didn't find anything.
OK.
Get him to the police station tomorrow.
I want to talk to him.
OK, Sir.
But
they don't call him a spellcaster here
they call him a psychic.
What's a psychic?
Someone who has intuitive powers
someone who sees the past,
the present and the future.
A psychic, you say!
Right.
Paranje
Sir.
You said nobody comes here to pray.
But look at this.
[suspenseful music playing]
[sound of footsteps]
- Come on, hurry up!
- Hmm.
Here.
- Come on in, quick!
- Yeah.
[tense music begins]
[shrieking sounds]
Let her go!
Please! Let her go!
Let her go!
That's my daughter!
Let her go, please!
[people shouting]
[sound of radio tuning]
[violent knocking]
Please open the door, Sir!
Please hurry up!
We need to go.
What happened?
Someone has attacked a little girl.
What?
Upon hearing the girl's cries,
some villagers came and nabbed him.
People have lost it and aren't
even letting the police in.
I can't believe we've caught him
on the first day!
[people clamouring]
[clamouring continues]