Arrested smuggler escapes in Rajasthan police van, caught 7 hours later

An alleged drugs smuggler tricked cops taking him to a police station in Rajasthan's Bikaner soon after his arrest into leaving their government vehicle, stole it and drove away before being recaptured in a seven-hour search with the help of nearly 200 villagers.
The drama around Gurjant Singh, a resident of Punjab's Moga district in his early thirties, started late Tuesday and culminated early Thursday, keeping the cops on pins and needles and prompting a probe for alleged lapses.
Gurjant and an accomplice were transporting nearly 1,500 kg of poppy husk when they encountered a checkpost in Lunkaransar area late Tuesday. Instead of stopping, they made a sudden U-turn, prompting the cops to chase them. The duo eventually abandoned the vehicle and fled. Police caught Gurjant with the help of villagers.