BHOPAL/JABALPUR: In a chase that resembled a military-style survival drill, a notorious inter-state thief hid underwater for nearly five hours using a lotus stem to breathe before being finally nabbed by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) with the help of divers.The incident began early morning on April 6 at Sihora railway station under Jabalpur division, when RPF personnel on preventive duty spotted a suspicious man deboarding Train No. 11753 around 4.50 am and trying to flee after allegedly attempting to steal a woman’s purse inside the train.Sensing trouble, the team chased him, but the accused jumped into a nearby moss-covered pond near the local market. In a desperate bid to evade arrest, he remained submerged for hours, using a hollow lotus stem to draw breath.RPF personnel coordinated with local police and called in divers. After sustained efforts, the accused was traced and pulled out of the pond. Even after being rescued, he attempted to flee again but was overpowered by the team despite minor injuries during the scuffle.Initially misleading investigators about his identity, the accused was later identified as Harvinder Singh (32), a resident of Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh.Officials said his identity was established after RPF personnel matched his details with an old Times of India news report and verified records through ICJS.Officials said Harvinder is a hardcore, inter-state offender involved in a series of theft and snatching cases targeting passengers on trains. He is accused of operating across multiple states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, and has a long criminal history under Sections 379 and 411 IPC.He is wanted in several cases registered at GRP Bhopal, Itarsi, Ujjain, Igatpuri, Visakhapatnam and other police stations, with multiple standing and absconding warrants pending against him.Investigators said the accused follows a consistent modus operandi—boarding trains without tickets, identifying vulnerable passengers, particularly women and elderly travellers, and stealing purses, cash and valuables before deboarding at intermediate stations to evade capture. He does not carry any identity proof and frequently changes SIM cards to avoid tracking.A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Railway Act at RPF Post Jabalpur. Intimation has been sent to multiple GRP units, and warrants against him have already been confirmed by GRP Igatpuri, Bhopal and Itarsi.The accused will be produced before the Special Railway Magistrate in Jabalpur for remand. The operation, carried out under “Operation Yatri Suraksha,” was led by IPF Rajiv Kharb along with SI Arvind, constables Vinay Mourya and Ashish Yadav.
