In the late nineties, young women from the CIS – Commonwealth of Independent States – countries used to come to India to procure essential goods for their home countries. In the year 2000, one such young Uzbeki woman, Gulnora, was intercepted at the Delhi airport by the customs. She was carrying 27 bales of silk fabric. She was arrested and later released on bail. Her case was investigated by the Directorate of Revenue and Intelligence (DRI).
Ankit Tyagi, Superintendent of Customs, who was known for his close friendship with Gulnora, was found dead. His wife Poonam, who was posted at Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), maintained that Ankit had taken an overdose of sleeping pills. When the investigation started the earlier visits of Gulnora were also looked into. It was learnt that not only bribes were taken but also the sexual favour from these girls were taken.
Gulnora had, in fact, hijacked the complete system, where junior to senior officers were involved.
A customs inspector, Sandeep Yadav, knew that Ankit was a robust officer and was certain that his death was not natural. He unofficially starts investigating Ankit’s death. As he digs deep, Sandeep is faced with questions and possibilities that leave him bewildered, and his mind in a whirl. Is there any connection between Gulnora and Poonam? Is Gulnora as helpless as she appears to be? Who is Prithvi? Is he really an innocent businessman as he claims? What is his relationship with Gulnora? Is there a sinister relationship between Prithvi and Poonam, or is Sandeep imagining it? Is Ankit’s death tied-up with Gulnora-Poonam-Prithvi?
Will Sandeep be able to unearth the truth? The mystery remains till the end.
Ashok Bhasin
After completing his graduation from Hindu College, Delhi University, Ashok Bhasin joined the Customs and Central Excise Department in 1976. During his service tenure, he pursued his studies further and completed his M.A in philosophy and did his LL.B. from Delhi University. He was bestowed the President of India Award in 1996, in recognition of commitment to work and distinguished services. Ashok Bhasin left the department in 1996 and started practising as an advocate after getting himself enrolled under the Bar Council of Delhi.
He is a member of both the Delhi High Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Bar Association. He is well-versed in the methods used by lawyers in courts of law at the time of trial. His experience and expertise have stood him in good stead as an author.
Gulnora is Ashok Bhasin’s fifth novel. His earlier four novels, all thrillers, are It Was Not Gold, Stupid Lawyer, Chapter 31 and Her Secret. All these novels have been well received by readers.
