A bizarre burglary attempt in Rajasthan's Kota city turned into a scene of instant justice when one of the thieves became physically trapped in a kitchen exhaust fan. The incident, which has since spawned a wildly popular video on social media, occurred on January 3 at the residence of Subhash Kumar Rawat.
Homecoming Reveals Unusual Intruder
Subhash Kumar Rawat and his wife were returning from a pilgrimage to the Khatu Shyam Temple in Sikar district. They arrived at their home around 1 am on January 4. As they unlocked their main gate, the headlight from a scooter parked outside illuminated their kitchen, revealing a shocking sight.
A man was wedged tightly in the opening of the kitchen's exhaust fan. His upper body was inside the house, while the rest of him dangled outside. The stunned couple immediately raised an alarm, alerting their neighbours to the strange situation.
Police Intervention and Arrest
Officials from the Borkheda police station swiftly arrived at the scene after being notified by local residents. According to the police, the trapped man, identified as Pawan, had entered the house with the intent to steal valuables. He attempted to crawl through the exhaust fan shaft but got irrevocably stuck.
"Hearing the noise created by the homeowners, one of the thieves managed to flee the scene. However, his accomplice could not free himself from the exhaust fan," a police officer stated. The officer added that the trapped burglar tried to intimidate the residents by claiming his partners were nearby.
The tense standoff lasted for nearly an hour before police personnel, with considerable effort, managed to extricate the man from the metal fixture. He was promptly arrested and taken into custody for questioning.
Vehicle with Police Sticker Adds Twist
In a curious twist to the already strange episode, police seized a car allegedly used by the accused. The vehicle had a "police" sticker affixed to it, leading to speculation that it may have been used to avoid suspicion while casing potential targets. The investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of the burglary attempt and the origin of the sticker.
Online Reactions and 'Instant Karma'
The video of the hapless thief stuck in the exhaust fan quickly went viral on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Netizens were quick to label the incident as a perfect example of "instant karma." One user humorously noted the irony, writing, "His name is Pawan and he got stuck in an exhaust fan… irony just died a thousand deaths." Others commented that the police sticker on the car was likely a tactic to blend in and evade detection.
The incident serves as a stark and strangely humorous reminder of how crime attempts can go awry. The Kota police have confirmed the arrest and continue their investigation into the fleeing accomplice.
