Bhim Rai, the murder convict who tested Covid-19 positive and fled from an ambulance on August 2 while on way to a hospital in Kalimpong, was nabbed on Thursday evening near the Third Mile area under Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, around 11km from Darjeeling.

Rai had been sighted in the locality after his escape but residents did not catch him, fearing they would contract the infection.

“On Thursday morning, a driver spotted Rai. As he tried to talk to Rai, he fled. The driver told us and we contacted the cops,” said a resident.

Rai was caught by the police, forest guards, health staff and residents in the evening.

“Some people asked him to accompany the health staff, but he was initially reluctant and pelted stones at us. In due course, his agitation subsided and he agreed to go to the hospital with health workers had worn PPE to avoid infection,” an eyewitness said.

A Darjeeling police officer said Rai seemed to be very tired. “He was no longer in a position to run. He has been sent to the district hospital in Kalimpong,” the cop said.