Wanted Thief Uses Lotus Stem to Breathe Underwater for Five Hours in Dramatic Escape Attempt
In a scene reminiscent of a Hollywood survival thriller, an interstate thief managed to evade authorities by hiding underwater for nearly five hours, using a hollow lotus stem to breathe, before being finally apprehended by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) with assistance from divers. This extraordinary incident unfolded at Sihora railway station under the Jabalpur division in the early hours of April 6.
The Chase and Underwater Evasion
Around 4:50 AM, RPF personnel on preventive deployment noticed a suspicious man hurriedly disembarking from a train from the offside and attempting to leave the station premises. His movements raised alarms, especially after receiving inputs that he had allegedly tried to steal a woman's purse inside the train moments earlier. As RPF staff gave chase, the accused, later identified as Harvinder Singh (32), ran towards a nearby local market area and leaped into a moss-covered pond adjacent to the station, disappearing beneath the surface within seconds.
For the next several hours, Singh remained submerged, employing an ingenious method to avoid detection. Police revealed that he used a hollow lotus stem to draw air intermittently, allowing him to stay underwater and evade capture. RPF personnel secured the perimeter around the pond and maintained constant surveillance, suspecting he was still hiding within.
Apprehension and Investigation Details
Local police were alerted, and divers were summoned to the location. After sustained search efforts, the accused was located and extracted from the pond. Even after being brought out, he made another desperate attempt to flee but was caught following a minor struggle, during which RPF personnel sustained minor injuries.
RPF officials identified Harvinder Singh as a resident of Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh after matching his photograph with an old Mumbai Mirror report dated August 7, 2018, and verifying details through ICJS records. Investigators suspect his involvement in more than 500 train theft cases over the past decade, making him one of the most wanted criminals on Indian Railways' radar.
Criminal Background and Modus Operandi
Singh has more than 21 criminal cases registered against him across various states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, and is wanted in over a dozen additional cases. His criminal activities spanned a wide geographical range, from Kerala in the south to Jammu in the north, primarily targeting passengers on trains. He avoided detection by not carrying identity documents and frequently changing SIM cards, with multiple warrants pending against him.
Investigators detailed his method of operation, which involved boarding air-conditioned coaches on valid tickets, waiting for passengers to fall asleep, stealing valuables such as cash, jewellery, and even weapons, and passing the loot to associates in other coaches before discreetly deboarding at intermediate stations. In one notable case, he was linked to the theft of a licensed pistol, ammunition, and Rs 1.9 lakh in cash from a passenger.
Past Scrutiny and Legal Proceedings
Singh's activities first came under scrutiny after his arrest by police in Andhra Pradesh in 2018, when valuables including gold and diamonds were recovered from him. Although he was released on bail, he allegedly continued his criminal endeavors and remained a fugitive in multiple cases. Interestingly, he had previously been elected as a municipal councillor in Haldaur town of Bijnor district in 2017.
Past records indicate that he carried out at least 14 train thefts since 2015, including incidents on long-distance routes such as the Mumbai Central-Indore Express, and was suspected of targeting premium trains. Rajeev Kumar Yadav, IG, RPF, stated, "We are now receiving calls from multiple states enquiring about him. Chennai authorities have also shared his video footage, and we are examining it as part of the investigation."
Legal Actions and Operation Details
The RPF registered a case under relevant provisions of the Railway Act at Jabalpur and produced Singh before a court. Acting on an application by GRP Bhopal, the court handed over his custody to them for further investigation. This operation was conducted under Operation Yatri Suraksha by a team led by IPF Rajiv Kharb, along with SI Arvind and constables Vinay Mourya and Ashish Yadav.
This dramatic capture highlights the persistent efforts of railway authorities to combat theft and ensure passenger safety, showcasing a unique and determined evasion tactic that ultimately failed against coordinated law enforcement action.
