In a scene straight out of a slapstick comedy film, a would-be thief in Kota, Rajasthan, turned a planned robbery into a public spectacle after getting himself physically stuck at the crime scene. The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of January 4, 2026, has since captured the nation's imagination through a wildly popular viral video.
The Midnight Mishap in Kota
The ill-fated break-in attempt began on the night of January 3, 2026, while the homeowner, Subhash Kumar Rawat, and his wife were away on a trip to Khatushyamji. The couple returned to their home around 1 a.m. on January 4. As Mrs. Rawat opened the main gate, the headlight from their scooter illuminated a bizarre sight in the kitchen: a man was firmly wedged in the exhaust fan shaft, trapped in a half-in, half-out position.
Police reports later confirmed that the man had entered the house intending to steal valuables. His plan, however, went spectacularly wrong when he attempted to crawl through the narrow exhaust shaft. Officials stated he got wedged and could not free himself. Hearing the commotion upon the homeowners' return, his accomplice reportedly fled the scene, abandoning him to his dangling fate for nearly an hour.
Chaos, Rescue, and a Viral Sensation
The situation quickly descended into chaos as locals gathered, puzzled by the strange sight. Someone captured the thief's helpless struggle on video, and the clip exploded across social media platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), amassing millions of views and spawning countless memes.
Police from the Borkheda jurisdiction arrived at the scene around 1:30 a.m. after being alerted by residents. In a combined effort, officers and locals managed to pull the trapped man free. He was promptly arrested. During the arrest, police seized a car key from his pocket and later impounded the associated vehicle, which was identified by its distinctive white window curtains.
Investigation and Ironic Outcome
An investigation is now underway to track down the escaped accomplice and to determine if the suspect is linked to other thefts in the Kota area. In a twist of irony, the bungled burglary resulted in no major loot being stolen. What could have been a tragic event for the Rawat family instead became a light-hearted victory for the community and a stark reminder that even the best-laid criminal plans can fail in the most absurd ways.
The incident underscores the importance of home security but does so through a lens of pure, unintended comedy. It serves as a real-life lesson that sometimes, crime doesn't pay—it just gets you stuck in a very embarrassing situation.
