Thief Uses Lotus Stem to Breathe Underwater for Five Hours in Dramatic Railway Chase
In an incident that resembled a military survival exercise more than a police operation, a notorious inter-state thief managed to evade capture by hiding underwater for nearly five hours using a hollow lotus stem to breathe. The dramatic chase culminated with his arrest by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) with assistance from specialized divers.
The Early Morning Pursuit Begins
The extraordinary events unfolded in the early hours of April 6 at Sihora railway station under the Jabalpur division. RPF personnel conducting preventive duty spotted a suspicious individual disembarking from Train No. 11753 around 4:50 AM. The man attempted to flee after allegedly trying to steal a woman's purse inside the train compartment.
Sensing criminal activity, the RPF team immediately gave chase. In a desperate bid to escape, the accused jumped into a nearby moss-covered pond located close to the local market area. What followed was an extraordinary display of evasion tactics that would test the limits of human endurance.
Underwater Survival with Natural Breathing Apparatus
In a remarkable survival maneuver, the thief remained submerged for hours, utilizing a hollow lotus stem as an improvised breathing apparatus. This natural snorkel allowed him to draw air while keeping almost completely hidden beneath the water's surface, creating significant challenges for the pursuing officers.
The RPF personnel quickly coordinated with local police authorities and summoned professional divers to the scene. After sustained efforts and systematic searching of the pond, the team successfully traced and extracted the submerged suspect from the water.
Continued Resistance and Final Capture
Even after being rescued from the pond, the determined thief attempted to flee once more. He was ultimately overpowered by the RPF team following a brief scuffle that resulted in minor injuries to those involved in the apprehension.
Initially, the accused provided misleading information about his identity to investigators. However, through diligent police work, his true identity was eventually established as Harvinder Singh, a 32-year-old resident of Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh.
Criminal Profile and Modus Operandi
Officials confirmed that Harvinder Singh is a hardened inter-state offender with an extensive criminal history. His identity was verified after RPF personnel matched his details with an old Times of India news report and cross-referenced records through the Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS).
Investigators revealed several key aspects of his criminal profile:
- He faces multiple charges under Sections 379 and 411 of the Indian Penal Code
- He is wanted in numerous cases registered at GRP stations including Bhopal, Itarsi, Ujjain, Igatpuri, and Visakhapatnam
- Multiple standing and absconding warrants are pending against him
- He has operated across several states including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh
Consistent Criminal Methodology
According to investigators, Harvinder Singh follows a consistent modus operandi in his criminal activities:
- Boarding trains without valid tickets
- Identifying vulnerable passengers, particularly women and elderly travelers
- Stealing purses, cash, and valuable items
- Disembarking at intermediate stations to avoid capture
To further evade law enforcement, he typically carries no identity documents and frequently changes SIM cards to prevent tracking through mobile networks.
Legal Proceedings and Operation Details
A formal case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Railway Act at the RPF Post in Jabalpur. Notifications have been sent to multiple Government Railway Police units, with warrants against the accused already confirmed by GRP stations in Igatpuri, Bhopal, and Itarsi.
The accused will be presented before the Special Railway Magistrate in Jabalpur for remand proceedings. The entire operation was conducted under "Operation Yatri Suraksha" and was led by IPF Rajiv Kharb along with SI Arvind, constables Vinay Mourya, and Ashish Yadav.
This dramatic apprehension highlights both the innovative evasion tactics employed by determined criminals and the persistent efforts of railway security forces to protect passengers across India's extensive rail network.
