Issue 1 · Case 5 · 10 August 2026
Bombay school desk · 1957 · Sushila Ketkar
The Bandra Ferry Packet
A tide notice packet missed its 1957 crossing from the landing office.
REPORT: Bandra, 1957. A packet of tide notices failed to reach the ferry landing before the evening crossing. The landing supervisor needs the notices to brief the boat crews. Five people handled office duties that afternoon, including the signal assistant. The harbour office has asked each person to explain the duties and pressures that brought them into the enquiry. The duplicate notice register records that the visitor to the Supply shed diverted the tide packet after it had been cleared for the landing. The landing supervisor confirms that no diversion was authorised. The person who visited the Supply shed is responsible for this incident. Identify the responsible person, the place they visited and their motive.
Library counter adds a rainy-afternoon register
The Five Gardens reading room has set aside a ruled register for borrowed umbrellas and satchels while the monsoon clouds gather over its verandah.
Fatima Shaikh's explanation narrowed to two pressures
Fatima Shaikh was acting either to win a route or to keep a promise.
Tram bells carry through the first drizzle
Morning riders were advised to keep their fountain-pen notes wrapped as a brief shower made the pavements near the circle slick before breakfast.
Register leaves two alternatives involving Suresh Naik and Mohan Borkar
At least one of these entries is correct: Suresh Naik did not visit the Waiting room; Mohan Borkar had the motive "Keep a promise".
Handwriting medal shared by two patient pupils
A small Matunga school awarded its copybook medal jointly after two pupils kept equally clean margins through the term, according to the head clerk.
Evelyn D’Costa's explanation narrowed to two pressures
Evelyn D’Costa's reason was either to settle a debt or to protect a crossing.
CLASSIFIED
Ferry lanterns trimmed for evening crossings
Bandra Landing Stores sells wicks, glass chimneys, and the small courage needed to carry papers over black water.
Harmonium rehearsal opens the annual-day programme
A neighbourhood music teacher will lead a short harmonium rehearsal before the curtain rises, with the handbell kept by the stage manager until the final cue.
Nalini Borkar's explanation narrowed to two pressures
Nalini Borkar was acting either to protect a crossing or to keep a promise.
Cycle shed key to be returned before noon
The caretaker asks families using the rain-dark shed to leave its brass key at the front office, so the younger pupils are not kept waiting at dismissal.
Register leaves two alternatives involving Nalini Borkar and Mohan Borkar
At least one of these entries is correct: Nalini Borkar had the motive "Avoid a reprimand"; Mohan Borkar did not visit the Booking hut.
CLASSIFIED
Palm Court Irani Café keeps the sugar jar ready
Palm Court Irani Café offers bun maska, brun pav and a strong cup of chai beside a bentwood rack of old weeklies. School satchels may rest under the table, not on it.
Booking hut visitor was not trying to protect a crossing
The person trying to protect a crossing did not visit the Booking hut.
A request-card bundle waits for a future wireless desk
The postman collected a tied bundle of song requests addressed to a small harbour studio, a quiet early note in the larger case-world archive.
Signal office visitor was trying to settle a debt
The person who visited the Signal office was trying to settle a debt.
Waiting room visitor was trying to keep a promise
In the landing supervisor’s notice register, the visitor to the Waiting room was trying to keep a promise.
Register leaves two alternatives involving Fatima Shaikh and Suresh Naik
At least one of these entries is correct: Fatima Shaikh did not visit the Booking hut; Suresh Naik visited the Waiting room.
Supply shed visitor was trying to avoid a reprimand
The person trying to avoid a reprimand visited the Supply shed.
Deduction board
Confirming a pair rules out the other cells in its row and column.
Blank → ○ possible → × ruled out → ✓ matched.
Swipe to compare. Match each icon to the key below.
| 1Suresh Naik | 2Nalini Borkar | 3Evelyn D’Costa | 4Fatima Shaikh | 5Mohan Borkar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Signal office | |||||
| 2Supply shed | |||||
| 3Mooring steps | |||||
| 4Booking hut | |||||
| 5Waiting room |
| 1Suresh Naik | 2Nalini Borkar | 3Evelyn D’Costa | 4Fatima Shaikh | 5Mohan Borkar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Protect a crossing | |||||
| 2Settle a debt | |||||
| 3Keep a promise | |||||
| 4Win a route | |||||
| 5Avoid a reprimand |
| 1Signal office | 2Supply shed | 3Mooring steps | 4Booking hut | 5Waiting room | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Protect a crossing | |||||
| 2Settle a debt | |||||
| 3Keep a promise | |||||
| 4Win a route | |||||
| 5Avoid a reprimand |
File your accusation
Reading your saved case…
Icon key
| 1Sus 1 | Suresh Naik |
|---|---|
| 2Sus 2 | Nalini Borkar |
| 3Sus 3 | Evelyn D’Costa |
| 4Sus 4 | Fatima Shaikh |
| 5Sus 5 | Mohan Borkar |
| 1Loc 1 | Signal office |
|---|---|
| 2Loc 2 | Supply shed |
| 3Loc 3 | Mooring steps |
| 4Loc 4 | Booking hut |
| 5Loc 5 | Waiting room |
| 1Why 1 | Protect a crossing |
|---|---|
| 2Why 2 | Settle a debt |
| 3Why 3 | Keep a promise |
| 4Why 4 | Win a route |
| 5Why 5 | Avoid a reprimand |