INSPECTOR GHOTEGOES BY TRAIN

By: H.R.F KEATING ( 1926-2011 UK )

Published: 1971 ( crime )

Author

H. R. F. Keating
Henry Reymond Fitzwalter Keating wasan
Englishcrime fiction writermostnotable for
his seriesofnovelsfeaturingInspector
Ghote of the BombayCID.
Main character
Inspector Ganesh Ghote is a bombay
police officer ( CID )who is the main
character in H. R. F. Keating's
detective novels.
 Before :
• Inspector Ganesh Ghote was sitting in his small office at Bombay CID
headquarters reading The Times of India.
• Inspector Ghote, comes across his own picture in The Times of India
though not a great picture, it gives him a sense of public recognition and
sparks wild ideas of becoming a famous detective.
• Inspector Ghote thinks it would have been more helpful, if they had a
clear picture of A. K. Bhattacharya instead of his photo
• A.K. Bhattacharya well-known for being involved in some illegal activity
of selling fake temple statues, antiques and two hundred years old
paintings under secrecy.
• He had been doing this act for years without getting caught.
• A.K.Bhattacharya had many connections with the rich and famous,
but he always managed to avoid being captured
• He was quite elusive when it came to being photographed.
• On the other hand, A.K. Bhattacharya was in his flat on Cumballa
Hill.
• With a smile on his face, he looked at Inspector Ghote’s
photograph in the Times of India.
• He had a servent boy, to whom he gave two big hundred rupees
notes.
• He told the servent boy to get him a hair-dye, a pair of sunglasses
and strictly told him to not to buy any bazaar trash.
• He also told the boy to get him a good white dhoti, three Kurtas
and Sandals.
• Ghote sat in his seat in a four berthed air-conditioned compartment of
the Calcutta mail moving out of Victoria Terminus.
• And opposite him the only other person in the compartment was an
intense looking kurta and dhoti lad individual with black hair and tinted
glasses was A.K. Bhattacharya.
Part 1
There :
Chap no. 1
• Inspector Ghote, on a train journey encounters a talkative Bengali man who tries to
guess his occupation.
• The Bengali, seemingly well- educated, engaged Ghote in a conversation about
Calcutta, but Ghote is worried of revealing his true purpose – bringing back a
notorious confidence – trickster A.K. Bhattacharya.
• The Bengali persistently attempts to guess Ghote’s occupation, leading to a bet.
• As the journey progresses, the Bengali shared fanciful job possibilities, causing
Ghote irritation.
• The Bengali eventually correctly deduces that Ghote is a police officer.
• The conversation then shifts to the merits of air travel, with Ghote expressing a
preference of trains. The Bengali passionately advocated for flying leading to a
heated exchange about the perceived wrongness of rapid travel.
• Ghote ends up raising his voice, emphasizing his disagreement.
 Chap no. 2
• In this part of the story, Inspector Ghote continues his train journey to Calcutta with the
mysterious Bengali traveller Mr. Banerjee.
• Ghote becomes increasingly suspicious of Mr. Banerjee, especially after noticing the unnatural
appearance of his dyed hair.
• The tension rises as Ghote contemplates the possible connection between Mr. Banerjee and
the criminal he is tasked with escorting to Bombay.
• As the train stops at Nasik Road Station, Mr. Banerjee engages Ghote in conversation about
the antiquities of Nasik, revealing a hobby that seems eerily similar to the criminal activities of
the person Ghote is investigating.
• The atmosphere becomes more unsettling for Ghote as he grapples with the incongruities of the
situation and questions Mr. Banerjee’s true identity.
• The arrival of three unexpected and unusual travellers futher complicates the scene : a
European man with young girl in unconventional Indian dress a wandering guru. The diversity of
characters adds an element of surprise and intrigue to the unfolding narrative.
 Chap no. 3
• Inspector Ghote finds himself in a compartment with hippies on the Calcutta
main train.
• Initially disapproving, he becomes alarmed when Mr. Banerjee reveals the
hippies are travelling without tickets.
• Ghote, fearing exposure as a police officer struggles to maintain the authority.
• Mr Banerjee’s philosophical musings on breaking the law add to the tesion.
• Ghote contemplates legal consequences while grappling with the discomfort
on the situation.
• Ultimately sleep provides a temporary escape from the complex dynamics in
the compartment.
 Chap no. 4

• Inspector Ghote receives a telegram indicating that A.K. Bhattacharya is not in

Dum-Dum Gaol, making his journey seemingly pointless.
• Professor Frankenheimer is displeased with Ghote’s delay and choice of travel.
• Ghote suspects Mr. Banerjee, his Bengali companion, might be A.K.
Bhattacharya and tries to assert his authority over the telegram.
• Ghote observes interactions between Mr. Banerjee and two hippies, Red and
Mary Jane, contemplating using them against Mr. Banerjee.
• Red attempts to photograph Mr. Banerjee, who initially resists but eventually
relents until the next morning, leaving Ghote uncertain about Mr. Banerjee’s true
identity.
 Chap no. 5
• Ghote wakes up feeling perplexed and observes the countryside outside.
• Mr. Banerjee remains asleep, causing Ghote to worry about potential disruptions.
• The hippies consider photographing Mr. Banerjee while he sleeps but decide against
it.
• Mr. Banerjee wakes up and plans to shave at the next station, Piparya, despite
concerns about time constraints.
• Mr. Ramaswamy introduces himself as hailing from Madras (Chennai).
• He poses a question to his fellow passengers about guessing his task in life.
• He expresses an interest in revealing his occupation or purpose.
• The passengers engage in speculation about Mr. Ramaswamy’s profession or mission.
 Chap no. 6
• The Madrasi man, Mr. Ramaswamy, reveals his occupation as an Inspector of Forms
and Stationery for the Indian Railways, disappointing the compartment’s occupants.
• Mr. Banerjee suggests Mr. Ramaswamy falsify his returns, which Mr. Ramaswamy
refuses due to ethical reasons.
• Mr. Banerjee engages in philosophical discussions, advocating for falsehood while
Ghote opposes, emphasizing truth and adherence to the law.
• Mr. Banerjee attempts to draw parallels between the guru and A. K. Bhattacharya,
suggesting similarities in their lifestyles and beliefs.
• Mr. Ramaswamy discovers A. K. Bhattacharya’s initials on Mr. Banerjee’s suitcase,
leading him to suspect Mr. Banerjee is actually A. K. Bhattacharya himself.
• Mr. Ramaswamy confronts Mr. Banerjee with his suspicion, suggesting that Mr.
Banerjee might be A. K. Bhattacharya.
 Chap no. 7
• Ghote faces a train journey filled with mistaken identity as Mr. Ramaswamy
accuses Mr. Banerjee of being A. K. Bhattacharya.Tensions escalate with
embarrassing revelations and misunderstandings, leading to a complex
situation.
• Ghote struggles internally as he contemplates the possibility of Mr. Banerjee
being A. K. Bhattacharya.
• The situation peaks when Mr. Ramaswamy accuses Mr. Banerjee of
advocating dishonest practices.
• The passage ends with a suspenseful moment as Ghote realizes the train
may leave without him during an uncomfortable shave at Hazaribagh Road
Station.
 Chap no. 8

• Ghote narrowly avoids injury as he dodges the one-eyed barber’s razor during a
confrontation at the train station.
• Determined to catch Mr. Banerjee, Ghote chases the slowly departing train, considering
the implications of the Bengali’s actions.
• The pursuit involves encounters with various characters, including demands for money
from the one-eyed barber, showcasing Ghote’s resourcefulness.
• Ghote reflects on the purpose of Mr. Banerjee’s scheme and contemplates the significance
of the one-eyed barber’s role.
• Unexpected situations arise, such as confronting a Ladies Only compartment and
stumbling upon a music rehearsal and card-playing passengers during his journey.
 Chap no. 9

• Ghote skillfully evades the one-eyed barber’s razor, displaying quick reflexes and
determination. Speech
• In pursuit of the departing train, Ghote contemplates Mr. Banerjee’s mysterious
motives for detaining him. Thoughts
• Tension rises as the one-eyed barber demands money from Ghote during the
chase. Effect on others
• Unforeseen scenarios unfold, such as encountering a Ladies Only compartment and
stumbling upon a group of musicians in another.
• Ghote disrupts a card game in an air-conditioned coach, getting closer to
confronting Mr. Banerjee.
Part 2
Back :
Chap no. 1

• Inspector ghote is travelling from Culvutta to Bombay on a

luxurious train, accompanied by 2 criminals A.K Bhattacharya
& A.K Biswas.
• Ghote has been ordered to get confession from Bhattacharya
since the authorities wish to avoid the expense a full trial. He
must also escort A.K Biswas to Mumbai trial.
• Ghote encounters Red & Mary Jane. Hippies who wants to
support Bhattacharya.
 Chap no. 2

• Inspector Ghote confronts A.K Bhattacharya on the train to

Bombay. Ghote suspects he’s plotting something.
• Mary Jane and Red argue with Ghote about Bhattacharya.
• Bhattacharya claims he have accomplices who will help him
• Ghote suspcets that hippies of being Bhattacharya
accomplices.
 Chap no. 3
• Bhattacharya tries to frighten Mr. Ramaswami by claiming to be friends with
Thuggee cultists, who murder travellers.
• Ghote tries to convince A.K Bhattacharya to confess by suggesting the
charges could be reduced to lighter sentence
• Bhattacharya in return propers a cooperation with aiming to minimize
charges & recive a minimal sentence. He suggest taking Ghote into
partnership after his release, planning to go to America together but Ghote
rejects his offer.
 Chap no. 4
• In this part of the story, Inspector Ghote finds himself in a locked train
compartment with A. K. Bhattacharya, a confidence-trickster.
• Bhattacharya proposes a partnership and a flight to America, but Ghote
vehemently refuses. As the train travels through India, Ghote attempts to
convince Bhattacharya to plead guilty at the trial.
• The cook becomes a potential ally for Bhattacharya, and a bizarre incident with
Red, a hippie photographer, ensues.
• Ghote faces the challenge of eating a peculiar-tasting vindaloo to maintain the
cook’s favor and protect the bogie key hidden in his pocket.
• Despite the peculiar events, Ghote struggles to stay awake, realizing the potential
threat of being drugged by Bhattacharya.
 Chap no. 5

• Inspector Ghote, drugged by opium, fights against sleep to rid

himself of its effects.
• He struggles through a series of steps, including vomiting, to
regain control.
• A.K. Bhattacharya attempts to corrupt Ghote, offering wealth in
exchange for cooperation. Ghote vehemently refuses. Mrs.
Sulbha Chiplunkar, an influential figure, arrives, raising
suspicions about her true intentions.
 Chap no. 6

• In this part of the story, Inspector Ghote is on a train and suspects the woman claiming
to be Mrs. Chiplunkar and her companion, A. K. Bhattacharya, of being involved in a
conspiracy.
• Ghote contemplates taking action but hesitates due to the potential consequences.
• He decides to keep a close watch on them, especially after inspecting the contents of
Mrs. Chiplunkar’s briefcase.
• As the journey progresses, A. K. Bhattacharya tries to engage Ghote in conversation,
raising suspicions again.
• Ghote strategically isolates Mrs. Chiplunkar, observing her and A. K. Bhattacharya
discreetly. The tension builds as Ghote grapples with the uncertainty of their intentions.
 Chap no. 7
• As the train journey progresses, Ghote observes subtle
changes in Bhattacharyas behaviour like irritation to depression
to resentment.
• He is employing a psychological tactic to extract information
from Bhattacharya hoping he will confess.
• Unexpected interruptions from Mrs. Chiplunkar, a character
with unclear intentions, threaten to disrupt Ghote’s
interrogation.
 Chap no. 8
• The scene shifts to Inspector Ghote awakening from what seems
like a brief blackout or sleep or may be he unconscious.
• Mr. Ramaswamy leaning over him, shaken and with a deep cut on
his forehead.
• It’s unclear what caused Mr. Ramaswamy’s injury or why Ghote
blacked out, but something unexpected event has occurred while
Ghote was unconscious.
• ( Injury scene and blackout leaving the reader curious how it will
affect story’s unfolding events.)
 Chap no. 9
• Ramaswamy informs Ghote that Bhattacharya has escaped by striking him with
a heavy book.
• Ghote searching for bhattacharya, finds fat cook in the kitchen, then he spots an
open window and realizes Bhattacharya might be clinging to the side of the
moving train. He sees a glimpse of Bhattacharya’s leg disappearing into a third-
class carriage and manages to enter the carriage with the help of a ticketless
traveler.
• despite thorough searching and questioning passengers, Ghote fails to find
Bhattacharya.
• Eventually, Ghote accepts that he has lost Bhattacharya, realizing that he tricked
him with the help of the ticketless traveler.
 Chap no. 10

• Ghote, pressed against the wall of the third-class carriage.

• Despite the risk and danger, Ghote pushes himself to climb onto the
roof of the speeding train in pursuit of Bhattacharya, who he suspects
is manipulating the train’s speed from the driver’s cab.
• Eventually he reaches, Bhattacharya in the driver’s cab, and
successfully apprehends him with the help of the train’s driver.
• As the train continues its journey, Ghote encounters him and fulfill his
duty.
THE END