Spy In The Laboratory

The Research Wing of New Life Pharma Company is headed by Director (Scientist), Dr. Sandeepan Mitra, who is distantly related to Diganto Deb, a self styled sleuth and Professor of Bangla Literature.

One late night while returning from a family get-together in Digonto’s house, Dr Mitra’s wife, Rita,  is attacked by an unknown assailant disguised as a beggar. His face is  blackened with soot. Rita has a narrow escape. The attacker runs away  pillion riding a bike. The biker can also not be identified as his face is covered in a black helmet.

A few days later Dr. Mitra calls Digonto to his Office on urgent basis. But before Digonto reaches the office again a  biker in black helmet tries to run him over in front of the University where he teaches.

Later that afternoon, a baffled Digonto comes to know from Sandeepan that a confidential Formulation Report of a cost effective drug to cure diabetes has been stolen from the latter’s chamber. This was a formula on which three Scientists were working for the last four years  under Sandeepan’s supervision. These three Scientists are Shankar Nag (who has drafted and delivered the Report personally to Sandeepan’s room), Manash Basu and Ronnie Roy.

Shankar Nag is a miserly bachelor, Manash Basu has struggled hard in life to come up the social ladder, Ronnie Roy is arrogant and always short of money. No one in the Office knows about the secret formula not even Prateek Gorai, Dr. Sandeepan’s trustworthy personal secretary.

Sandeepan is dead sure that the thief has not been able to carry the Report out of the building. Within twenty minutes of coming to know of the theft he had  given strict instructions for thorough frisking of all the inmates (including their mobiles and personal belongings) at the exit. The entire premise is also under extensive CCTV surveillance. The footage of the day has been scrutinized by Sandeepan himself and nothing suspicious has come to light. That means the Report is hidden somewhere inside only.

Digonto has nine days in hand to locate the Report and catch the culprit. On the tenth day is the Company’s Board of Directors’ Meeting wherein Mr Alam, Sandeepan’s boss, wants to present the Report to the Board. Mr. Alam knows about Digonto’s exploits as sleuth through his cousin, Mr. Shahjaad Hussain, in the Kolkata Police Department. He has full faith that Digonto will be able to lay his hands on the stolen Report.

Sandeepan does not want to approach the Police as he is not confident that they will be able to conduct the search discreetly. (He also wants to keep the theft away from publicity). But Digonto advises him to involve them as it will help in the interrogation. He requests Dr. Alam to use his cousin Mr. Hussain’s good offices to put Digonto’s friend, Ajit Bose, in charge of the investigation. Alam readily agrees.

Now it is Digonto’s and Ajit’s responsibility to bring the culprit to book. But who is this biker in black helmet constantly tailing Digonto? Who is this shooter dressed as a beggar just waiting for the right opportunity to make Digonto his next target? Who has the Formula and where? Are the threesome involved with the research of the new drug as ethically upright and dedicated to the cause of making a low cost medicine available to the masses as they appear to be ?

Gabeshonagaarey Guptochor or Spy In The Laboratory by Dipanwita Roy  is a thrilling story for young adults and adults. She comes up with a very engrossing whodunnit pivoting around rivalry amongst pharma majors. Digonto Deb is her sensible and sensitive detective on an overdrive of the grey cells to solve the mystery within a stiff timeline. Will he be successful in finding the mastermind behind the crime ?

For certain medical reasons I am putting less strain on my eyes and listening more to audio stories. I heard this story again on Radio Mirchi Sunday Suspense Series on You Tube. Surprisingly, I am enjoying this experience with audios.

Dipanwita Roy is my latest find. I find her stories very contemporary, stimulating and share worthy. She has already been translated into many Indian languages. I hope her stories are made available to international readers as well by way of translations in English and other languages of the world.