Poacher (2023) s01e03 Episode Script

1
Sir
What is this?
It's a report on local sea
turtle breeding this season.
- Why do you need this, Sir?
- I just love turtles.
So what is the latest?
Sir, we have found Raaz's
sister's house
So we still have no idea
who turned that phone on?
No.
- Morris Finn identified Raaz's sister's house?
- Yes, he did.
- Has this been corroborated?
- By my informant, yes.
- Was he 100% sure?
- Yeah, I think so.
We need two, ideally three ways of
confirming the information before you act.
If the intelligence community acted on
hearsay each time, it would be a disaster.
- I know Sir, but honestly, we're not in a position
- I know, I know.
We don't have time.
Mala?
What do you think?
This is the right house?
Raid them then.
Both houses, tonight.
Simultaneously, knock both the doors
at 2 am sharp, so they have no notice.
But make sure nobody knows
about it, other than us.
I don't even want the raid team
knowing who they're going after.
The media is crying foul
on our entire department
claiming someone took
money internally.
- Did someone?
- I really don't know.
On a daily basis we deal with
laziness and corruption.
And the fact is,
Aruku was our employee.
He just happened to
turn back to us.
But who knows
about any others.
Listen
regardless of what happens,
everyone must be picked up.
- Sir, even women and children?
- Everyone.
Sweep the place after -
we cannot mess around anymore.
Raaz is on the verge of getting away,
and if that happens
Pick up everyone, bring them
back for interrogation.
So call only your
core team to assist.
The rest I'll manage.
Okay? Go.
Hello, hello
- What do you have for me, Ganavi?
- I have a Ravi Don in our system.
His passport details,
home address, and profile.
You were right -
he's a person of interest.
I'm sending you the information.
I have reason to believe
he's trading in ivory.
Great, but that has
nothing to do with me.
Unless he's doing it
internationally.
- You have evidence?
- Not yet.
But I need to know if
he's in the country or not.
I can only tell you if he's travelled
under his own passport.
That's something.
Ummcan you issue a
lookout circular on him?
So this is the one favour you want
from me, after all these years?
Sadly, yes.
I have to use it up
before I leave this world.
You've taken your Kashmir anti-terror
tactics to the ivory trade?
Criminals are criminals, Ganavi -
whatever the trade.
- What kind of name is 'Ravi Don?'
- These assholes are all jokers.
You'll see.
- So, the lookout circular?
- Bye, Neel.
Nagesh!
- Sir?
- I need you to do something for me.
No one can know about it,
understand?
Uhyes, Sir.
You need to go to Trivandrum,
to surveil Ravi Don's home.
I don't even know if he's
in the country or not.
But until we have intel on that,
find out what you can
and report back to me.
Take Haji with you.
My core team is busy,
and we have to move fast.
And of all of the range officers left here,
you're the ones I trust the most.
But Sir, we have no
surveillence experience.
I'm a botanist, and Haji's a
As a botanist, you care about the
engineers of the forest, right?
Of course, Sir.
And you recognize that the forest is an
open treasure that must be protected?
Yes, Sir.
So off you go.
Tell no one.
Report to me once you're
planted in front of his house.
- Okay, Sir.
- Go.
- Mr. Johnny Boy
- Papa!
- Why are we so hyper, so late?
- I've been struggling to get him to sleep early.
And when he heard that Papa was
coming home, there was no way.
There's no harm in staying up late
for one night, is there?
- How's class?
- Not bad.
The students are average,
but nothing I can't handle.
How's the snake app?
Is that what's keeping you up?
It's ongoing. And actually,
I have to go back in a few hours.
There's an issue with a snake nest.
We can only tend to it at night,
when the snakes are away from it.
Papa, Papa - I want to come.
I want to see the nest.
- It's too late for a school night.
- It's a day off tomorrow.
PTA meeting tomorrow.
Alan - you said you'd be there.
I'll come if the nest is okay.
I'll be there.
Papa, look
Look.
You took these? They're great.
The Forest Department has utterly failed in
catching the poachers in the elephant tusk case.
And accusations are now being made
that some officials took money to keep
quiet about the poaching excursions.
Papalook.
- Papa?
- What f-stop did you use for this one?
Look.
Did you see the doctor?
- Yeah.
- What did he say?
He said it's seasonal,
I just need cough medicine.
I'll get it tomorrow.
Why are you working so late?
You agreed to shut down at
11 pm when you were home.
It's an important case,
we need to solve it quickly.
- Suit yourself.
- You go and sleep.
- Nice time at home?
- Wonderful. You?
- Don't ask.
- Then why'd you ask me?
I have a few colleagues from
Periyar Tiger Reserve joining us.
People I trust - Babu included.
- You're sure about Babu?
- Yeah, he's got a lot to make up for.
You're sure you're not letting
your personal feelings
It's over between us.
- Does he know that?
- Absolutely.
- I have to ask you something.
- Hmm.
Once we have these people in custody,
do you know what to say to them?
You're the interrogation expert.
Well, my style can be a bit blunt.
I haven't gone into
family homes in a while.
I don't know - it depends on what
we're trying to get out of them.
Raaz's whereabouts,
if he's not there tonight.
We can't just ask that,
they'll deny knowing.
And if it's a woman or child,
we have to be really careful.
Then what?
I just might need you
to back me up, okay?
Okay? Listen up.
We have a dual raid tonight.
Adil and Mala will lead
the raid on the mystery house.
You are to enter in the front
with officers watching all the
entry points to the home.
Remember, once you are in
get everything with a
heartbeat into one room.
Check if Raaz is there. If not,
question them quickly and carefully.
Nobody is to identify themselves
using their own names.
Take them back to the division office.
Move in exactly at 2 am.
Alan, check for Raaz's phone,
if he's not there.
And stay out of the way,
it may get dangerous.
I'll be managing both the raids
from the sister's house.
- You need anything, call me.
- Sure.
Okay? Move out.
Mala
Sir
Good luckfrom my son's
turtle collection.
I heard about this Babu being reinstated.
Are you sure about it?
Yes, Sir.
If it turns out to be a mistake,
then you're responsible.
Yes Sir, I know.
- Hi, Doctor Joseph?
- Yes?
Sorry to wake you. I'm calling from
Holy Christ Hospital.
You were right, our snakebite victim
opened his mouth - he'll live.
Great, I'll call you back, okay?
Huh?
Who is it?
What?
Forest Department.
What do you want?
He's not here.
- What's going to happen to me?
- Don't ask me, I'm just following orders.
Just sit tight, it'll be over soon.
- Sir, this belonged to Raaz.
- Good.
Sir
What do you want?
We told you, we're from
the Forest Department.
You know why we came.
Yeah.
- Okay, then tell us.
- You're looking for Raaz.
That's rightnow tell us how
you got involved with him.
Mymy wife's his mistress.
- Your wife in the next room?
- That's right.
- is currently his lover?
- She's still in his keep.
- 'In his keep?'
- This is all because of her.
She told me she called it
off last year, but she didn't.
You hear that, you whore!
How could you do this to me again?!
If you were half the man he was,
I wouldn't have to!
Say that to my face, bitch!
Watch your mouth,
there are children here.
Sir, may I?
When did you last see him?
A few weeks ago.
Is one of your children Raaz's?
- My daughter might be.
- Does your husband know?
Where's Raaz now?
Alright - everyone move out,
move out!
Everything will be okay.
Tell me
Sir, we have them all. No Raaz,
but we have his mistress and daughter.
We have his sister and brother-in-law here,
but no nephew - he wasn't here.
- Meet at division office.
- Yes, Sir.
- Mala, are you okay?
- Yeah, fine.
Heywhat was that back there?
That wasn't you.
Wanna bet?
Did you check for any computers,
tablets, anything like that?
Bring them all.
Sir, we checked - there's nothing.
What is it?
Tea's coming.
So tell us - where's Raaz?
Your children need their mother.
We have you on charges of
abetting the ivory trade.
We can put you in prison for years.
Talk to us, and we can make a deal.
And if you care about Raaz at all,
you'll tell us everything.
Otherwise, he'll be a hunted fugitive,
always on the run.
And never see his daughter again.
How did you meet?
- You want the love story?
- Why not?
It would help break the
rotten mood of the night.
When I was young,
Raaz was a hero.
The local big-game hunter.
He'd come with his massive rifle
hauling elephant tusks, bison,
or a bear carcass, to visit his sister.
Every boy wanted
to be like him.
But every girl wanted
to be with him.
This was well after the
1972 Wildlife Protection Act
so he was certainly not a hero.
You have no idea how
things work around here.
So tell us.
Anyone who can bring home a
livelihood is a hero.
Raaz always had money,
and was always in charge.
He was a real man -
nobody could mess with him.
And if you didhe'd make sure
you never did again.
How many of those men
are left around here?
And now he's running for his life,
unable to see his daughter.
- And if this continues, he'll be
- He's
He's at the
Goa-Maharashtra border.
Where exactly?
Some estate
I don't know, exactly.
How can you be sure?
The night before he left,
he was with me.
My brother Raaz visits us once
in a while, and stays for a few days.
He helps run a street bar in the area.
Last time I saw him was a few weeks ago.
He came for a night and left in a hurry,
and didn't tell me where he was going.
He used to poach
but after an accident in Tamil Nadu,
he injured his leg, and gave it up.
My children
Where are my children?
- With your husband.
- Please don't tell him
Anything?
Raaz is in some town on
the Goa-Maharashtra border.
- But we don't have an exact location.
- Hopefully he stays there.
We can't keep them here for long.
The Forest Force is sending someone
to monitor the interrogations.
So we better get all we can
from them right now.
Mala
The Village Council President of
Peringazha is on the phone.
He says he has
information about Raaz.
- Hello.
- Hello, who's this?
You tell me, Sir.
What's this about?
I'm the Village Council President
of Peringazha, Jerril George.
You've picked up people from two
houses tonight - one in my locality.
- What's happening?
- I can't say.
You're looking for Raaz?
How do you know that?
Raaz's nephew Shyam is with
me now - you have his parents.
Will you arrest him as well?
Sir, if he stays with you,
we'll have no choice but to arrest him.
- Or
- Or?
If you give him to me,
I won't arrest him.
I'll keep him secretly and safely.
He won't be harmed.
And who are you, exactly?
Mala Jogi, range officer.
Meet me in 30 minutes, alone.
No other officers.
I'll text you the address.
Okay. My number is 970215573.
Sir, Raaz's nephew wants to surrender.
I'm going to get him.
- Alone?
- Yes, Sir.
I'm going with you.
What if this is a trap, set by Raaz?
They could kidnap you.
- I already gave my word to them.
- Why?
Sir, I believe his nephew
knows something.
Why else would he be
so afraid of arrest?
You all can back me up, out of sight.
That's the best I can offer.
Mala
- Have you lost your mind?
- I'm totally lucid.
You don't need to do this.
- Sir, I'm sending you the address.
- Yes.
This is why we didn't last, you could
never take the necessary risks.
- 'Necessary' for what?
- For making a fucking difference.
And you never understood that
you don't need to be reckless.
We can get what we want
without risking decapitation.
And I got tired of watching you
consort with smugglers
go in with no backup,
and moonlight with murderers.
I wouldn't have to do any of this
if you hadn't fucked it up.
Keep talking. We're just three
minutes behind you, out of sight.
Copy.
Sir, getting out now.
Looks like it's just the Village Council
President and Shyam in the car.
- Is there anyone else around?
- No.
There's someone else -
a young man.
- Armed?
- I can't tell.
Leave.
Approach slowly,
let me see your hands.
Mala, can you hear us?
It's too late.
It's good you came alone.
Shyam is scared of what might
happen to his parents.
He wants to cooperate,
but off the record.
- Is that possible?
- You have my word.
Hey, look at me -
you won't be harmed.
Mala
- Don't tell anyone he's in my custody.
- You have my word.
I have him.
Coming back now.
- Who are you talking to?
- Don't worry, I gave my word.
Why are you so afraid of arrest?
I have a job lined up in the UK.
I don't want to lose it.
What has my uncle done?
He's out poaching.
He provides for
so many in our family.
He's admired in our
communityI respect him.
Respect?
Did you know that your uncle loves
to shoot elephants in the head
and watch the life
drain from their eyes?
He watches their heads go limp
and they fall like dogs,
resting on their hind legs.
And then he sits on top
of the carcass.
Have you ever seen
that side of him?
Does he 'respect' anything?
Savage.
If everyone had his bloodlust,
there wouldn't be a living thing left.
So tell me - is that the
beloved uncle you know?
I didn't know Uncle was
poaching again, I swear.
You know where he is,
don't you?
Magdu. It's on the
Goa-Maharashtra border.
A guy I know owns
an estate there
growing pineapples, and turmeric.
Raaz was hiding there as a labourer.
- 'Was?'
- He should be on his way back now.
- How do you know?
- He called yesterday, and told me.
He has a daughter
who he loves very much.
He's been hiding for so long,
so in order to see her
- How is he coming?
- By train.
- Which train?
- I don't know.
- It's on my computer, at home.
- Who's the estate owner?
A family friend, Mani.
He lives here, nearby.
We're off to get Shyam's computer.
You go back to division office.
Go.
I want the strike teams
at every railway station
from Karnataka border to here,
ready to board.
I'm getting you
the train number shortly.
I asked one of my beat officers
if Shyam had a computer or not
that asshole said 'no.'
Everything okay, Sir?
Everything's fine -
I'm healthy.
The tumour in my lungs
is thriving too.
We're all happy together.
Shit.
- Are youare you
getting any treatment?
What's the point, Alan?
I'll just become an invalid.
Like an old tiger,
who cannot hunt.
At that stage, I would wish for
someone to put a bullet in my head.
Before that happens, I refuse to be
responsible for this mess.
If this poaching persists,
your son will end up just like me.
We are catching these fuckers
literally if it's the last thing I do.
Hurry up.
Sorry Sir!
- That's handy.
- Found it?
Yes, Sir.
- Yes, Sir?
- Adil, we have the train number.
- Raaz is on The Sagar Express: 02618.
- Yes, Sir.
It is scheduled to arrive in
Peringazha by 10 am
so we only have a few hours.
If you can trap him on the train,
then nothing like it.
We won't have time for an
official order to stop it.
- We'll have toimprovise.
- Yes, Sir.
- Alan!
- Yes, Sir!
- Sir, we are boarding the train.
- Be careful.
Hey! That's my mother -
what do you want?
- She's in the wrong berth.
- It was empty, we'll move if you want.
We'll start from the rear.
Sir, I'm on the train,
but Raaz is not in his seat.
I'm inspecting each
passenger as best I can.
Another team will board at the
next stop, from the head of the train.
They'll make their way down.
They also have someone
who can identify Raaz.
A bartender who knows him.
We are stationed close to you all.
What the hell?
Just inspecting tickets, making sure
we haven't missed anyone.
Are you sure
you can ID Raaz?
If you do recognize him, whisper in my
ear first - don't make it obvious.
Sorry.
Still nothing.
Nothing here.
Uncle should be on that train.
Meet our estate-owner friend, Mani.
I called him last night and
told him to turn himself in.
I don't know what this is about, but I have
no problems with the Forest Department.
- Prove it, by helping us find Raaz.
- As long as I'm not in trouble.
Can you confirm that this is
the train Raaz would be on?
He only said he was
travelling home by train.
Did he give you a time?
He should be arriving soon.
- Where's your estate?
- I'll give you the address.
- How long was Raaz there for?
- Around 5 weeks.
Why did he go there?
He told me he needed a break,
and wanted a job.
I hired him to harvest pineapples.
I had no idea he was in trouble.
I live a peaceful life,
minding my own business
I would never break the law,
or harbour a criminal.
Last stop, Sir.
No sign of Raaz.
Did you check all of the
sleeping passengers?
Speak to the ticket collectors?
Wake up every one of them
and check!
Go in the pantry car, the toilet
where can the fucker go?!
Santosh?
Santosh, can you hear me?
- Santosh, can you hear me?!
- Yes Sir, everything, but he's not in this train.
We have to leave now.
Unless you have an official order
to stop this train?
He's not on the train.
Fuck.
Either you two are lying,
and this ticket's a decoy
or someone tipped Raaz off.
Maybe he didn't get on
in the first place.
Sir, I'm not lying. I have also been
calling the estate, but no answer.
- Do you have the local police chief's number?
- Yes Madam, his name is Rodriguez.
- This is not good.
- What, Sir?
When you involve other states,
the links in investigations break.
People have their own priorities.
I was hoping it wouldn't
- Hello?
- SHO Rodriguez?
Speaking
This is Neel Banerjee - Field Director,
Kerala Forest Department.
- Go ahead.
- There's an estate in your jurisdiction.
Could you send a
small team there? It's urgent.
We have a Kerala warrant,
via the forest department.
I'll send you the details shortly.
Do you have an official order?
We don't have time to get the
proper paperwork done.
This raid needs to happen immediately.
The target's name is Raaz - he's a poacher
and very dangerous.
How is this animal hunter
a danger to people?
- So what if he can fire a bow and arrow?
- SHO Rodriguez, you don't understand.
These people have
nothing to lose.
And that's what makes them dangerous.
They're capable of anything.
It's the same person who hunts
elephants and smuggles their tusks
who also smuggle guns,
narcotics, and people.
It's all the same to them.
Sodon't underestimate them.
Especially this guy, Raaz.
You need to move, now.
Sir, we have a small set up, staff are
just coming in now for their shifts.
- I'll see what I can do.
- You'll see what you can do?
Alright.
Now motherfucker,
I'll show you what I can do.
Hello? It's Neel.
Yeah, I'm fine.
Listen, I never ask you for anything.
But today I need a favour
Did you call your Uncle when
we raided your home?
No, Madam. I don't even
carry a phone with me.
I wanted to inform him, but didn't.
But our neighbours saw what happened.
Could have been any of them.
We always get these anxious
calls at the last minute.
As if the world's
coming to an end.
And we have to move
'immediately' or else
Yes, Sir.
But I've learned that everything
happens according to God's will.
We have no say over anything.
- Absolutely, Sir.
- Hello, who's this?
Yes, Sir?
Yes Sir, leaving now.
Okay, Sir.
Assemble two teams,
and two PCR vans - urgent!
Hey Jacob, Percy, move!
Hello - the PTA meeting, I know.
Did the mother snake protect
her nest and attack you?
Sorry.
I'm really sorry.
This is the third one in a row
you're missing.
The teachers wonder if
John has a father.
Okay, I'll be there in 30 minutes.
I'm leaving now.
- Just delay them a bit.
- How can I?
HeyI have to leave
for some time
or Achala will leave me.
- You're the groundskeeper here?
- Yes, Sir.
- Where's Raaz?
- Raaz should have left last night.
Go.
Interesting.
Alan
I'm sorry, you may have to
miss your PTA meeting.
They found Raaz.