In a surprising turn of events, a 22-year-old liquor smuggler, Pravesh Yadav, was arrested in Prayagraj while taking a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh, a ritual believed to wash away sins. Yadav had been on the run for over a year after his vehicle, which was carrying illicit alcohol, was stopped during a routine check on National Highway-19 in July 2023.
Thanks to increased surveillance during the Kumbh Mela, police tracked him down in the Civil Lines area of Prayagraj. Yadav, who hails from Alwar in Rajasthan, had been evading authorities since the incident. Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhimanyu Manglik confirmed the arrest, bringing an end to Yadav’s months-long escape.
