Evidences and Witnesses (Third pov)

Kriti looked at the file. Batch 2024. She started to look for Manaav's page. One thing she ensured when she became the Student Head was every student was organised based on which department and roll number they currently were in, not based on alphabetical order, how it was earlier. 

She unlocked her phone and searched through her gallery. She had once clicked a picture of Manaav's roll number during his second semester-end exam. And she found it. 

"Manaav Shukla. Registration ID: UVC2024CHEM056." 

This made her search so much easier. 

"56, 56, 56." Kriti flipped through the records like her life depended on it. "Found it," Kriti said, "Address: #45, Opposite to Sapna Bookstores, Kalyan Vihar, Delhi."

"Why is he here? Aren't there really well-reputed universities and science institutes in Delhi?"

She started reading his entire records and laughed. 

"Sure, one sleazebag knows another. I should have thought of that. After all, he's not really well-liked by anyone in the council." 

"Hey, Kriti! Good morning!" Lalith entered the room with a cup of coffee that he bought from Café Coffee Day, way too chirpy from yesterday's drinks. 

"Good morning. Looks like you're having a good time, all bright and chirpy." Kriti said while clicking pictures of Mannav's records.

"Hmm. That I am. I finally got a reply from my online friend." Lalith said and continued, "What are you doing?" 

"Looking into someone. Wanna help?" Kriti asked and smirked, "Finally getting rid of someone." 

Lalith got the signal and gave an evil grin, "Finally getting rid of him, are we? I have some crazy tea on him and his friend circle. Might come helpful." 

"I need anything and everything possible to make his exit possible. You know, right? I can't vote to force him out unless I have proof without reasonable doubt that he is unfit for the student council." Kriti rubbed her temples. This rule was enforced after one of the previous Student Heads had removed half the council members because he didn't like their 'attitude'. This rule has prevented the successive Student Heads from abusing their power. 

"I know and that's why I have been looking into him since the day he joined. He has been a pain in the neck since he joined the council. Sometimes, it makes everyone think about who even accepted his application. After all, you're busy with other things and don't know what's going on within the council. Everyone has been on the edge since he joined." Lalith sipped his coffee and said.

"Anush did. He brought him here." Kriti said and showed Manaav's application stamped with Anush's name. This was yet another rule in the council. If any member joined due to recommendations, then the guarantor has to stamp and sign her/his name on the application. 

"Sure, one sleazebag knows another," Lalith said and kept his coffee. "We should have known the moment he did nothing but waved the fame of the student council every step he took in the university. What are you going to do?" 

"Find shreds of evidences, and witnesses and call for an emergency meeting. I have to do everything as fast as possible. Before anyone gets to know." Kriti locked the cupboard and kept the stack of keys in her pocket. 

"For now, let's go to the library first. I need to check something." Kriti took her bag over her shoulders.

"Why?" Lalith asked with curiosity. 

"To check something. Come on. We have to go there before our prey and his friends get there." Kriti said and left with Lalith for the library. 

The library was a three-minute walk from the Student Council. The library had a bunch of studious students who were looking for copies of textbooks and reference materials. The librarian was reading The Deccan Herald morning paper and cutting out various news clippings to preserve them. The librarian was a very old gentleman in his 80s and had almost no strand of black hair left on his head. He had a half-crescent reading glass. 

"Good morning. How can I help?" The librarian looked up from his newspaper. 

"I would like to check the camera records from I think four to five months ago." Kriti said and continued, "And would like to place a lookout order on Manaav and his associates." 

"What should I look out for?" The librarian asked, raising his eyebrows.

"For any kind of suspicious behaviour. Please report any fishy behaviour in the log register only. I would personally collect any complaints every evening." Kriti instructed.

"Sure, I'll ask the new kid to keep an eye on them when I'm not around." The librarian pursed his lips and went back to his newspapers. 

Kriti and Lalith made it to the back room, where all the camera recordings of the library were kept as backup. Kriti connected her pen drive and downloaded all videos from four to five months ago. 

Lalith said," It's best if you download the ones after that too."

Kriti looked at Lalith and asked, "What do you know?"

"It's some rumours so, it's not yet a verified lead, but there has been this thing going on about him doing drugs in the library." Lalith said, "Now, I don't know but if we get evidence of that, then think about it." 

Kriti laughed hysterically, almost falling off the chair she was sitting on. "Another sentence on his head." They said in unison.