From Train Heist to Pond Hideout: Fugitive’s Dramatic Escape Ends in Arrest

JABALPUR, Apr 6: A wanted inter-state thief was dramatically arrested near Sihora railway station after hiding underwater in a pond for nearly five hours using a lotus stalk to breathe while evading security forces, officials said.

The accused, identified as Harvinder Singh, 32, a resident of Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, was apprehended following a joint operation by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), local police and divers after an intense search.

The incident began inside the AC coach of the Rewa-Itwari Express, where the accused allegedly attempted to steal a woman passenger’s purse. The plan was foiled when the passenger woke up, prompting the thief to jump off the slowing train near Sihora station and flee. RPF personnel immediately launched a chase.

In a bid to escape, the accused jumped into a nearby moss-covered pond and disappeared. Initial searches found no trace of him, but suspicion grew, leading to a coordinated search operation. Divers were called in, and after hours of effort, he was located hiding beneath the water surface and pulled out.

During interrogation, the accused initially gave a false identity as “Bablu” from Chandigarh. However, RPF In-charge Rajiv Kharab identified inconsistencies and confronted him with prior records, after which he revealed his real identity.

Officials said Singh is a habitual offender involved in over 400 theft cases across multiple states, including Kerala, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. He is known for targeting AC coaches, travelling without tickets and hiding in train restrooms to avoid detection.

Police records show that valuables worth ₹70 lakh were recovered from him in 2018, and he is also accused in a theft case aboard the Avantika Express. He reportedly stopped booking tickets after CCTV surveillance increased, avoiding any digital trace.

Authorities said 21 cases are currently registered against him across different states. They added that Singh never carried identification and frequently changed identities to evade arrest.

The arrest ended a prolonged run of criminal activity, with officials terming the operation a significant breakthrough. (Agencies)