Daring Escape: Notorious Thief Caught After Hiding in Pond for Hours

In a remarkable turn of events, a notorious thief known as Harvinder Singh was captured after a five-hour standoff where he hid underwater in a pond to evade police. This incident took place in Jabalpur, where he attempted to steal from a passenger on a train. His clever tactics included using a lotus stem to breathe while submerged. With a criminal history spanning multiple states and a past arrest for significant theft, his capture has drawn attention from law enforcement agencies across the region. The story reveals the lengths to which criminals will go to escape justice and the ongoing efforts of police to apprehend them.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 8, 2026, 23:49 IST

Jabalpur Incident: A Thief's Unusual Hideout

Jabalpur News: In a scene reminiscent of a movie, a thief attempted to evade capture by hiding underwater in a pond, using a lotus stem to breathe. This dramatic event unfolded on Tuesday in Sihora, Jabalpur, where after five hours of intense searching, the notorious criminal was apprehended. The individual, identified as Harvinder Singh, also known as Sunny, is infamous for his extensive criminal record across multiple states.

The incident began around 5 PM when the Rewa-Itwari Express arrived at Sihora station. Harvinder, who was lying in wait in an AC coach, attempted to steal a woman's purse. Although the woman noticed him, he managed to escape and jumped into a nearby pond when he realized he was being pursued by the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Five-Hour Search Operation

The pond was heavily covered with algae, making it difficult for the police to spot him. While the authorities stood by the shore, Harvinder cleverly used the lotus stem to breathe underwater. After several hours of unsuccessful searching, Raman Singh Markam, the officer in charge of the Khitola police station, arrived with divers. After a five-hour operation, they finally extracted him from the water, leaving the police astonished by his tactics.

Deceptive Tactics

Upon being brought back to Jabalpur, Harvinder tried to mislead the police by claiming various identities. He alternated between saying he was from Chandigarh and Delhi. However, RPF officer Rajiv Kharab recognized him from a photo he had seen in a newspaper back in 2018. When he confronted Harvinder, the thief's expression changed dramatically.

Criminal History

During intense questioning, Harvinder revealed that he had been arrested in 2018 by the Vijayawada police for theft, during which they recovered valuables worth over 70 lakh rupees. He was later released on bail. His criminal activities include a notorious incident in July 2018, where he stole a licensed pistol and cash from a passenger on the Mumbai Central-Indore Avantika Express. The victim identified him through CCTV footage.

Harvinder Singh, aged 32, hails from the Khera neighborhood in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. He is considered an elite player in the criminal underworld, with a profile that rivals that of a film villain.

A Shocking Revelation

His neighbors were shocked to learn of his true identity, as he had been elected as an independent councilor in December 2017. While his family believed he was a prominent leader, he was actually engaged in a life of crime on the railway tracks. Following his arrest, police from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh have already made plans to question him further.