Zandu Balm on cops to throwing chilli powder, 4 insane ways criminals have escaped

"Hum pe yeh kisne, hara rang dala?
The hara rang here being Zandu Balm. 

In what can be called an innovative escape, three inmates fled from police custody while on their way to Patna district court by applying Zandu Balm (a pain relief balm) on the eyes of cops inside the van. 

Sonu Sharma, Neeraj Chaudhary and Sonu Kumar, charged under section of Arms Act and Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act were being taken to Patna district court when their van including 40 other inmates accompanied with five cops, two of them officers, got stuck on Ashok Rajoath road in Patna, reported AajTak's Shashi Bhushan Kumar.

"A police van carrying 43 inmates of Phulwarisharif Jail was on way to Patna district court when the incident was reported. There was quarrel reported between two other commuters leading to an apparent traffic jam when two cops stepped out of the vehicle to get thing sorted and van moving," said Town DSP, Patna, AK Singh. 

It is exactly at this moment when the inmates had the 'mauke ka fayeda uthana moment' and applied Zandu Balm on cops' eyes and ran away. What adds on to the embarrassment for the cops is the fact that Sonu Kumar had fled from custody earlier as well. 

From next time the cops should make sure those in custody do not carry Zandu Balm? Or that cops wear sunglasses? Or have better reflexes? 

How easy to escape police custody?

Just one push is enough. 

Yes, this how Charanjit Singh, a thief in Ludhiana escaped police custody. Singh, arrested by Jagraon Police was being taken to Ludhiana Central Jail when he told the cops that he wanted to go to the toilet. 

Just one push to the cops, and he escaped.

When there are incidents of such weird escapes, what's the strongest tool a typical Indian inmate would use to escape?

Yes. Chilli powder. 

In another tale of crazy escapes, 16 inmates escaped Rajasthan Jail in Jodhpur district after throwing chilli powder on guards' faces. The 16 inmates who were undertrials were going back to their barracks after dinner when they threw chilli powder in the eyes of women guards and other jail staff. 

Police believe that the attack and the escape were pre-planned as the inmates fled on a vehicle that was parked outside the jail.

Such wow moments happen outside India  too

This incident happened in Washington DC, where a prisoner escaped after impersonating his cellmate who was to be released later that day. 

Brain Francisco Roman, a 26-year-old inmate, managed to stroll out of his Cowlitz County Jail in Washington DC after his cellmate was called for discharge. 

His face resembled a lot to his cellmate. Too much luck there. He dressed up in his cellmate's clothes and waited for the guard to call him up for release. 

Later, a guard arrived and called out the name of Roman's sleeping cellmate for release. Observing that his cellmate was sleeping, Roman took advantage of the situation and accompanied the guard, claiming to be his cellmate. He retrieved his belongings, including keys, wallet, ID card, debit card, and some cash.

The 26-year-old offender confidently made his way towards the exit, successfully evading the prison confines.