Part 3

 
As dawn approached I was getting extremely tired so when I heard the key being turned in the lock, my cell gate opened and a guard handed me a slip of paper on which was written, "Mr. Kumar, get yourself ready with your bag and baggage," I couldn't take it all in at once. I was still trying to simply understand what was happening when some prison officials came and took me to the superintendent's office.

I remember it was still dark and a lamp was burning in the office. The superintendent made me sign some papers for my release and traveling expenses. My trunks were given to two prisoners to carry and I was allowed to pass out of the main prison gates. My trunks were put down, the prisoners returned inside, and I was just left there. I was free!

In the east, the sky was just lighting up. The superintendent left the prison after releasing me. I think I must have been the only prisoner to be released at such an odd hour because the office hours were from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the superintendent, ordinarily, never came on duty before ten. Yet here I was out of prison before 5 a.m.!

To this day, I do not know what led the authorities to order my release in that way and at that hour. At the time I was simply dazed. I got a ride into town and caught a train for Dehra Dun, U.P. I was home the next day.