Most wanted thief caught after pond hideout in Jabalpur:Accused hid using lotus stem, attacked constable during escape bid

Several startling revelations have emerged about a most-wanted thief who hid in a pond for five hours, breathing through a lotus stem to evade capture. He also attacked divers and police personnel in an attempt to escape, but ultimately failed. On 7 April, Harwinder Singh was apprehended while hiding in a pond during a joint operation by Khitola police station, divers and the Railway Protection Force (RPF). On Thursday, he was produced before the Railway Court and later handed over to the Bhopal–Itarsi Government Railway Police (GRP) for further interrogation. Escape attempt foiled after 50-metre chase According to officials, while being escorted to the police outpost, the accused suddenly attempted to flee and ran nearly 50 metres. RPF constable Vinay Maurya pursued and caught him. During the chase, Harwinder attacked Maurya with a stone, causing a head injury and heavy bleeding. Despite this, the constable held on to him and, with assistance from colleague Ashish Yadav, managed to overpower and hand him back to the police. Maurya recounted that the accused had asked to use the bathroom while being transported. He was escorted along with constable Ashish Yadav when he suddenly pushed Yadav and tried to escape. ‘I chased him and brought him down, but he picked up a stone and began striking my head. The struggle continued, but I did not let go. Eventually, my colleague arrived and we secured him,’ Maurya said. Injured constable out of danger, rewarded for bravery Vinay Maurya sustained serious head injuries in the attack and was admitted to a private hospital. His condition is now reported to be stable and out of danger. In recognition of their bravery, the RPF Inspector General has announced rewards for both Vinay Maurya and Ashish Yadav. Violent struggle during capture Maurya explained that after the brief chase, a fierce physical struggle ensued. The accused, who was heavily built, attempted to overpower him. At one point, as Harwinder fell to the ground, Maurya restrained him by sitting on top of him. The accused then picked up a large stone and struck him four to five times on the head. Despite bleeding profusely, Maurya refused to release him, aware that escape would make re-arrest extremely difficult. Expert train thief who operated alone Originally from Bijnor, Harwinder initially carried out thefts with his brother and an associate named Rinku. However, he later began operating alone. He became highly skilled at stealing on moving trains. Typically, he travelled in air-conditioned coaches, hid in toilets to avoid ticket inspectors, and stole passengers’ valuables during the night. Multi-State police to interrogate accused RPF Station In-charge Rajeev Kharab stated that after court proceedings, the accused has been handed over to the Bhopal GRP. Police teams from multiple states, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Visakhapatnam, are expected to arrive in Madhya Pradesh to question him in connection with numerous theft cases. ‘Committed thousands of thefts without being identified’ During interrogation, Harwinder claimed he had committed thousands of thefts without ever revealing his identity. Neither the GRP, RPF nor local police had accurate information about his real name. His ability to operate without carrying a mobile phone or identification documents helped him evade arrest for years. He reportedly stated that now that he has been caught, his identity as the notorious train thief has finally been exposed nationwide. From elected councillor to criminal Harwinder Singh had earlier won a councillor election in 2017 in Bijnor. However, he soon abandoned politics and turned to crime. Within a short period, he accumulated significant wealth through repeated thefts on trains. Lotus Stem Trick helped him hide underwater RPF officials revealed that when surrounded by police, Harwinder jumped into a pond and remained submerged for hours, using a lotus stem to breathe. During questioning, he admitted that he resorted to this unusual method to avoid arrest at all costs. Officials added that his habit of carrying no personal identification was a deliberate tactic that enabled him to remain undetected for a long time.