Sameer sat cross legged on the floor, receiving condolences from a neighbor when Ammaji told him about the policemen waiting outside. He rose and walked out, conscious of all eyes following him. The sitting area, generally bare, looked like a warehouse, crammed with furniture removed from the large living room to make space for the mourners. Two uniformed men sat on the sofa that was covered in a sheet.

"Sorry, sir ji, we're disturbing you at a time like this. We're very ...