The murder of an 18-year-old ITI student in Nungambakkam in the zero hours of January 20 was one such a case. With hazy CCTV footage of a duo on a bike and unable to establish a motive, the police personnel struggled to crack the murder. When this scribe visited the police station on the day of murder to get details of the incident, a sub-inspector involved in the investigation said that they are probing with the help of the CCTV footage. 

Two days later, when this reporter visited the station again, the same SI, who was sitting in the front desk signalled a big no. The sub-inspector then clarified that he vowed not to shave his beard until the case is solved.

A few days later, when this scribe visited the station to get details of the case after it was solved and also to check if the officer was serious about his vow, the cop was not present. However, when he was called, the officer answered the phone and said, “After interrogating the accused on February 1, I shaved and also took leave to attend a temple festival at my hometown,” he said, followed by loud laughter. With so many unsolved crimes in the city, one could easily relate to his joy.