Original subtitles

Alan Sir.

Hi, Sir. I didn't know you were coming.

Everything we are about to discuss here...?

Sir, I am deaf.

Better.

What do you have so far?

Sir, I've already started analysing the phone numbers.

I can see some patterns emerging, but I'll need a couple of days.

As of now, we have nothing. So anything you do find is a bonus.

Yes, Sir. What about this Morris Finn?

I'm waiting for a report

from a second interrogation they have just performed on him.

It seems that Morris would buy raw ivory from Raaz

for about 30,000 rupees per kilo.

And his main buyer is our big fish.

Someone named "Poonam Verma".

She owns an art gallery in South Delhi... posh, sells ivory to select clients.

Likely pre-ordered from China.

So there's got to be a log of it somewhere.

Correct. The other big fish is the dealer for the clients

someone named "Ravi Don".

Morris gets each tusk carved by artists in a workshop

which is being raided as we speak.

After the ivory is carved, then it's looked at as an art piece.

Its value appreciates into thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands.

This racket is unlike anything we have seen in the past.

But right now, we have to find Raaz and his gang.

Before they totally disappear - assuming they're still in Kerala.

Then we have the carriers, the money-changers, the gunsmiths

- likely all locals. - And the big fish?

My experience is the main buyer is not going anywhere.

She has much to lose to just up and flee.

So the key is to secure all the evidence against her first.

What about all your high-level contacts?

That, I can only use as my last resort, and we are not there yet.

See, if I ask for too many favours, people higher up will take notice.

Things will get complicated, political - they will tie my hands.

So first thing's first, just... right now, crack the call logs.

- Yes, Sir. - Stop the car.

Take a taxi to Thattekad. Keep all the receipts.

Also, if you ever have to meet me again in person

just carry a folder with turtle-related documents in it.

Like any studies...like...

the data on the status of turtle populations.

- Why, Sir? - Just do it.

Okay.

Your entire team should be 'need-to-know'.

That includes anyone else you get on board.

- Yes, Sir. - Understand?

And thank you for this opportunity...

- Hey, Gils. - Hey, Alan. How are you?

All good. Can I use your bathroom? I just landed...need to freshen up.

Sure, around the back.

Drop everything! Move it...everyone out.

You're all under arrest!

These handicrafts are being seized by the Kerala Forest Department.

Everyone out, now. Quickly!

Ma'am, I've never seen so much ivory.

- Add this too. - Okay.

- How much? - 500 rupees.

- Is that okay? - Achala.

I just saw Alan.

- My Alan? - Yeah

in my shop - he was in a hurry.

Great, see you around.

Here, Sister.

Hey, what's up?

What kind of husband returns to his home town

and doesn't even tell his family?

The kind that barely has two minutes to spare.

I wanted to come home, but I'm stuck at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary.

I was going to call tomorrow.

What are you doing there - photographing birds?

Yeah, some big assignment, before they migrate.

I'll be home this week.

- Before the PTA meeting on Friday. - For sure. Just arriving here, I'll call you.

- Everything okay? - Yeah, all good.

Welcome to my hell.

I'm at the end of my rope, no idea how to unscramble all of this.

Your forestry degree won't help you with the kind of pattern analysis this requires.

You need a computer programmer to do the job.

Here, if we break it down one piece at a time, we can crack it.

But it's all about submitting the right queries to this software.

Like 'help us catch these fuckers?'

Look - for each suspect's number, the CDR gives us:

The details of all outgoing and incoming calls and text messages.

And the IMEI numbers - as in, the hardware ID of each device.

Also, every correspondence's time, date, and mobile tower location.

Now, we need to know who Raaz is calling. So we inquire...

From this number... Raaz's number.

In the last few months, which number has it called over 20 times

and also received calls from, at a similar rate?

There - this is either a family member, or colleague.

- Or lover. - Perhaps.

Now, if we observe the patterns, we can develop a plausible story.

- Yeah, Harish, tell me... - I have something, for the usual price.

- Fine, but tell me now. - If I tell you now, what about my...

Fucking tell me.

I just heard something, the information is sound.

Raaz's right hand - Poyya - has relatives in Elanji.

- But I don't know where, exactly. - That's not far.

- And my money? - You'll get it.

- Poyya has relatives in Elanji. - You know anyone there who can help?

Vijay Babu.

Isn't he under suspension for botching the raid?

- Yeah. - I heard he did it on purpose.

No way. He can be sloppy, but he's not corrupt.

- Will you be okay here? - Hmm, this will take time.

- You're up. - Do I have to?

Just go!

- Babu, phone! - Let it ring.

It’s Mala!

- What took you so long? - Is 5 minutes too 'long' for you?

Listen, do you still have your political connection in Elanji?

- Yeah. - Send me his number.

He won't talk to you - he only trusts me.

- What do you want to know? - I can't say.

- Then I'm not sure how I can help you. - Meet me at Karim's at midnight.

She should be coming anytime.

- Sir... - Hey Dina, please come.

Morris Finn...?

He has been remanded. We have him for another week.

Oh, good - get him to Malayattoor. He'll be required there.

Yes, Sir.

And...he has filed a complaint with the head of the Forest Force

against you and your husband.

- Custodial torture. - He what?!

He says you used chilli powder in his eyes

broke his legs and ribs, and attacked his genitals.

Sir, I have not touched him.

And my husband? He just came to drop me food that day.

Regardless, it seems Morris Finn is dealing with paid media

who is reporting that he's just a simple labourer

who's been wronged by us...

Whose mother was assaulted by you, and had to be taken to a hospital.

His mother?! She faked a heart attack and I...

Sir, my informant tells me that

Finn's been involved not only in ivory trade

but kidnapping, and heroin dealings.

He's a hardened criminal, and even threatened me if I persisted.

This is all just a farce, Sir. We cannot take this seriously.

And the media is supposed to be our 4th pillar...

- And I suggest... - Dina...

We will fight this through proper channels.

But for now, there will be an internal investigation.

And you need to keep a low profile 'til then.

Take a back seat 'til this blows over

and let us call you when we need you again.

...Exactly what he wanted... fucking poacher.

I was just trying to do my job.

What have you brought?

Is this the reason you wanted to meet me?

Yes, Sir.

This was found...along with dozens of other incomplete sculptures

all made of local ivory.

Yes, I read your report. What else is there?

Sirs, we need to understand that there are multiple statues...

All 6 feet tall. And... this catalogue here...

There are hundreds of samples sent to prospective buyers.

And Aruku claims that there were about 18 elephants

but I believe there were way more than that.

And Sir...

Notice anything peculiar about this piece?

- Did you call the dog trust guy yet? - No, Ma. I'll get to it.

What is it?

- Where do I start? - Tell me...

You're out for days.

You come back just to eat.

And then disappear again in the middle of the night. What is this?

It's my work.

It's like being with your father again.

The difference is I'm saving them, not shooting them.

- It's just as dangerous. - I'm fine with that.

When I think of the things my beloved father did.

- You don't need to atone for his sins. - No? Then who will?

How many did he kill? How proud was he?

He provided for you, raised you.

If I'd known the source of the money, I'd have chosen to starve to death.

How could you live with someone who provided for us

but didn't give a damn about everyone else's health?

You said you were doing data analysis on this case, that's all.

But nobody looking at call records needs to leave at midnight.

Nothing will happen to me, Ma.

I've already lost one to that cursed jungle, I can't...

...I have a big team, I'm protected.

What happened?

Playing Kabaddi - I was trying to take my mind off the suspension.

A suspension you earned.

A few hits to the head might do you good.

You haven't changed at all.

Neither have you - you still don't care about the work we do.

- Of course I care. - As long as you get a pay cheque.

Mala, not all of us can be jungle crusaders. Some of us just need to make a living.

Right, while letting the poachers go in and destroy your livelihood?

Did you call me just to kick me while I'm down?

- I can get that at my Kabaddi matches. - Hey...

I need your help.

For what?

I'm working on the case now. Undercover, for the Chief Conservator.

Poyya has a relative, somewhere in Elanji. I need to find him.

- Get me reinstated first. - I can't.

Yes, you can.

You're working for Kishore Sir...

If he thinks you need me, he can just snap his fingers.

You're the reason we're in this mess.

Everyone thinks... you took money from Raaz.

You know that's not true - I may be a lot of things, but I'm not corrupt.

Let me fix this.

Mala, please - if I ever meant anything to you, help me out.

Otherwise, I'm going to keep getting my head bashed in until they reinstate me.

I'll help you catch these fuckers.

I'll vouch for you, on your assurance that we keep it purely professional.

I'm your senior officer, and I may keep you in the dark at times.

This is not an excuse to get back together...revisit old times.

Understand?

Call your guy.

I already did. Matthew...

- This is Mala, the range officer. - Hello.

- This must be serious, meeting here so late. - It's a matter of life and death.

- Do you have the list? - Yeah...here.

- What's this? - Local voter's list.

Poyya's relatives are likely on it.

Poyya...I know that guy. Yadu is his relative. One minute...

- How did you know I'd need this? - You needed my political connection in Elanji.

And urgently. I figured you were on the hunt for someone.

Here he is, Yadu.

Do you know where this house is?

I know the area, and someone who can help us there.

Brother, what's up? We need you to help us find this guy.

That's Poyya's relative's place - the house with the stairs.

- Lots of people come and go. - You've seen Poyya there?

- Of course I have. - Are you sure?

Yeah.

Likely, Poyya will be waiting for us to raid it. And he could slip away in the commotion.

- And how do you know that? - I arrested him once.

He's capable of anything. He always carries a knife - it'll be a bloodbath if he gets violent.

Then we fish him out.

Where are they going?

Most men around here are day labourers.

They're probably going to the quarry nearby.

- What? - Are you looking for work?

We need men for the quarry.

- How's the pay? - 1000 rupees a day.

Are there other men here?

- I mean, other eligible workers? - How many do you need?

How many can you get? We have to finish the work in a week.

- There are 5 men here. - Bring them all.

Come today, and your job is guaranteed. A truck leaves from the bus stand in 3 hours.

If what Dina’s discovered is true, then we have a big problem.

But Sir, this information needs to be verified by the last criminals in the chain.

By those who sell the contraband. This Poonam Verma, and Ravi Don...

who I don't even think is in the country.

If it's true, it means a complete policy shift.

It changes our understanding of the entire wildlife trade, Neel.

I couldn't sleep.

Sir, we are on it. Hopefully I'll have some good news to report to you soon.

Good luck.

Sorry, Doctor. It was a matter of life and death.

Well, it's the same here.

There are radiation therapies I can recommend

but it would mean taking time off work.

- What if they don't bite? - Then we raid them.

- And if he slips away? - Hey...

That's the truck.

Come...

- 2 more guys are joining. - Fine.

- Is this the transport? - Yup.

- And it's 1000 a day, per head? - Yup. Get in, everyone.

Stand by.

Help him up.

Go ahead.

Let's go, Brother!

All clear, go.

Yeah, tell me.

Only women and children left in the house, no men.

We've secured all phones.

Fine, don't let them out of your sight.

Stop, stop... stop the truck.

Everyone down, now!

He's not here.

- What's going on? - We're looking for Poyya.

Are you police? Poyya isn't here.

- Forest Department. Where is he? - Can forest officers do this?

Yes, we can do this. We can arrest you too!

- Where's Poyya? - No clue.

He came and stayed for a few days, but ran off last week.

He never tells us anything.

- Has he done something wrong? - So there's no quarry job?

Alan...

- Any luck? - You?

Actually, yes - I've figured out a few things.

Morris used to call Raaz frequently.

And logic dictates that if Raaz possessed ivory

like any poacher, he would want to offload it immediately.

Morris called Raaz here, and then travelled the next day, to this cell tower location.

Throughout Morris' journey, they were in contact.

My guess is they exchanged ivory at these five locations.

Three times in Peringazha, in the Muvattupuzha region.

Once on the roadside, somewhere here.

And one time in a hotel, in Kalladi.

Now according to these CDRs, Raaz has four numbers

all switched off from May 25th onwards.

But the interesting thing is I rechecked all of Raaz's IMEI's...

Yesterday, one of Raaz's phones was re-activated, according to its IMEI number.

So there's a new SIM card in one of Raaz's phones, in Peringazha

in a place where Raaz met with Morris, thrice.

I sent someone I trust to Peringazha.

But we only know that it's this cell tower, which covers this region.

We need to be cautious when we approach the area, as Raaz could be there now.

Another thing - the most common number Raaz called...is this.

It could be his wife, if he's married. But he only calls it at night, usually late.

And this number never calls him back.

- A lover. - I think so too.

And someone who's married, because he calls for five seconds, then hangs up.

My guess is he calls her, tells her to get free from whoever she's with

and he calls her back 10 minutes later, when she's alone.

And then they talk for 45 minutes.

I've requested that number's CDR as well, so that we can verify all of this.

Is Morris Finn still in the department's custody?

So we need him to confirm that these are the 5 locations where he exchanged ivory.

And also if he knows any of Raaz's associates or relatives in said areas.

I'll ask Neel Sir.

To crack this whole thing open

we just need to find one person who's close to Raaz.

Have you ever seen elephants in the wild?

Only once, but from a distance. I was meant to go with my father.

Just to track and see them. But it never happened.

But now, I hope I never do. They don't want to be seen by us.

That's true, but...just to glimpse them in the wild.

No chains.

No human contact.

That'll be amazing.

It would be like seeing a species from another planet.

But they're not.

They're here, on our planet.

And every time we meet them it's a disaster.

Do you need to go home?

I should. Achala will kill me if I stay away another night.

Even Ma's on my case to stop spending nights away.

Let's call it a day.

My informer... Yeah, tell me Yogesh?

I met one of the neighbours in the area of the reactivated phone.

She told me that Raaz's sister lives there.

Great, Yogesh.

Apparently Raaz's sister, her husband, and their son all live in Peringazha.

- I'm texting the address. - Send it.

So according to the map

it's a different cell-tower area from where the mobile phone was activated.

So that's two connections in Peringazha.

Thanks Yogesh - stay there, we're coming.

So we have two houses in the area:

Raaz's sister's house, and a mystery house, where Raaz's phone was reactivated.

Why don't we call the reactivated phone, see who answers?

Damn - why didn't I think of that before?

I'm tired too.

It wouldn't be wise for either of us to call.

So you leave my birthday party before the cake-cutting.

Then leave the city like a gust of wind.

And then I get a call from your wife

asking if you're still in Delhi, and whether you're having an affair with someone?

What do I tell her? That you're sneaking around with snakes?

He prefers the company of his own kind?

Very funny. One day I'll tell you what this snake-charmer is up to.

But first I need your help.

Fine, but we're going to another movie, my choice.

Total melodrama, three hours, phones off - promise me.

The fucking sacrifices we make.

- Hello? - Hello.

Uh, I'm calling from Cityphone. Do you speak Hindi?

Yeah, go ahead.

Uh, I'm very happy to tell you that the owner of this number

has won Cityphone's Bumper Lucky Draw!

- May I know who I'm speaking to? - Yeah, uh, my name is Bharti.

Miss Bharti, can you confirm your registered address?

Valavilveedu, Perumballoor P.O., Peringazha, Muvattupuzha.

Miss Bharti, are there any landmarks near your house?

It will help the delivery boy drop off your prize.

What's the prize?

The prize...uh...a brand new mobile phone, earphones

and a new phone cover. All top of the line.

We're caterers. Neyyappams are our speciality.

There's a board outside our house: "Ponnu's Neyyappams."

It's easy to spot.

- Did you find the mystery house? - Yeah, I'm sending directions.

You're sure, then?

Yes, Sir. This is Raaz's sister's house - I've been here.

You know, this information would have helped us earlier.

Nobody asked me about Raaz's sister.

Is that right? I wonder what other information is rattling around in your head?

Huh? Why did you do it?

Why did you order the ivory?

And inititate the slaying of creatures who have never harmed you?

You think I'm the one who ordered this?

If I didn't do what I did, someone else would.

I'm not the problem - it's the lady in Delhi.

And the client-dealer, Ravi Don.

- And whoever the hell they deal with. - Tell me about Delhi - Poonam Verma.

I only know her on the phone.

Sometimes she calls and asks me to send her something - that's it.

- Who's ordering it, the Chinese? - I don't know.

But if you value your family's life, I'd be careful.

We know about the case you filed against the DFO in Trivandrum.

If you intend to take us on, you won't be around to see it resolved.

The DFO entered my home and threatened my wife.

And that really pissed me off.

But you all - it's not me who you should fear.

Vishal told me that the wildlife trade now funds international terrorism.

Terrorism? You mean instead of narcotics?

What is it?