The Eken: Ruddhaswas Rajasthan 2023

Arrival in Jaisalmer and setup

Eken Babu, Bapi and Promotho are vacationing in Rajasthan and stay at Sayan and Anusuya’s house in Jaisalmer. They enjoy local sightseeing, soaking in the desert’s charm, when they unexpectedly cross paths with Shatadru Ghosh. The encounter ushers in a mystery that blends archaeology, art theft, and travel into their vacation.

Shatadru's suspicion about the Natesa idol

Shatadru Ghosh informs Eken Babu of his suspicion that a valuable Natesa idol may be misrepresented, mentioning he had seen something like it in London. He notes that a catalog from Tarokiv Auction House hints that many Indian idols sold abroad are from Rajasthan. He suggests the idol could be part of a larger trafficking pattern and wants to confirm his suspicion while in Rajasthan.

Natesa idol inspected and found fake

Eken Babu meets Rajyashri Sen, the museum curator, and Sumanta, the administrator, and they inspect the Natesa idol. To their disappointment, Babu discovers that the idol is a convincing fake. This revelation shifts the focus to a potential wider theft and smuggling operation.

Kalibangan bull statue goes missing

Around the same time, the Kalibangan bull statue vanishes from the museum, triggering a full-scale investigation. Babu pieces together that both the idol and the statue may have been smuggled out of the country. The case tightens as inconsistencies begin to show up in suspects’ statements.

Sumanta arrested and fake smuggle revealed

Sumanta is arrested for theft and alleged smuggling related to the missing statue. He reveals that the item he stole and smuggled in exchange for money was actually a fake, deepening the mystery. The police start to suspect a more elaborate racket behind the thefts.

Suspicions about Shatadru impersonation

Eken Babu grows increasingly wary that Shatadru Ghosh might be impersonating a real professor for ulterior motives. He questions the professor's true identity and his involvement in the case. The tension adds an extra layer of doubt to the investigation.

Rajyashri seeks Ananda Gupta's help

Rajyashri reaches out to Ananda Gupta, a chemistry professor famed for artefact preservation and collection. Ananda reveals that Rajyashri had visited his house before going missing and hints that she had hidden the real Kalibangan bull statue, replacing it with a replica. This clue nudges the investigation toward the statue’s true location.

Rajyashri goes missing and a note appears

Ananda hands over a note left by Rajyashri to Eken Babu, and he learns that the note contains a riddle with clues to the real statue’s whereabouts. The disappearance thickens the plot as investigators search for connections between Rajyashri, the note, and the missing Kalibangan statue. The odds of a simple theft fade as the clues multiply.

Decoding the riddle with Shatadru's help

Eken Babu and his friends grapple with Rajyashri’s riddle, testing his observation skills and persistence. The case becomes more intricate as clues point to hidden locations and forged artefacts. Gradually, he begins to see a path toward the real Kalibangan statue.

Shatadru's involvement clarified

With the help of Shatadru Ghosh, Babu cracks more clues and, crucially, confirms that Shatadru is not the impostor he feared. This resolves one major thread of suspicion and refocuses the investigation on the true mastermind. The duo’s collaboration proves pivotal.

Culprit behind the smuggling racket exposed

Eken Babu uncovers the mastermind behind the smuggling racket and captures the culprit responsible for Rajyashri’s disappearance. The long-running scheme is brought to light, tying together the missing statue and the counterfeit idol. The arrest marks a turning point in the case.