In a significant breakthrough, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Ahmedabad City Police has arrested a 33-year-old man who managed to slip out of a Kathmandu jail during violent protests and vanished across the Indo-Nepal border, only to be tracked down months later. The arrest of Dharmesh Chunara, a resident of Thakkarbapanagar in Ahmedabad, has brought to light a dramatic journey from local bootlegging to international drug trafficking, culminating in his capture after a meticulous police operation.
From Local Bootlegging to International Drug Courier
Police investigations reveal that Chunara was earlier involved in petty businesses in Ahmedabad, including the illicit liquor trade in the Hirwadi area. Facing mounting pressure from local law enforcement and seeking higher financial returns, he made a pivotal decision in July 2025 to leave Ahmedabad for Nepal. This move was not only aimed at earning more but also at staying off the radar of the Ahmedabad police.
In Nepal, Chunara quickly came into contact with gangs deeply entrenched in narcotics trafficking. He was soon recruited as a courier, tasked with ferrying hybrid ganja from Thailand to Nepal. Sources indicate that he was paid approximately Rs 2 lakh per trip for this high-risk job, marking a stark escalation from his previous illicit activities.
The Downfall: Arrest and Incarceration in Nepal
Chunara's illicit run came to an abrupt end during one of his assignments. In July 2025, Nepal police intercepted him at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport after he landed from Bangkok on Thai Airways flight TG319. Officials seized 13 kilograms of hybrid ganja, valued at around Rs 13 crore, leading to his booking under Nepal's stringent narcotics laws. Following a court appearance, he was lodged in Bhadra Central Jail in Kathmandu, where he remained until September 2025.
Chaotic Jailbreak During Gen Z Protests
Chunara's incarceration took a dramatic turn when large-scale Gen Z protests erupted across Nepal in September 2025. During the unrest, protesters vandalised the Kathmandu jail, triggering a major security breach. In the ensuing chaos, several inmates, including foreign nationals, managed to flee. Chunara was among those who seized the opportunity to escape, vanishing into the turmoil.
Following the jailbreak, Nepal authorities promptly shared details of the escaped prisoners with Indian agencies. Alerts were circulated by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the CID crime branch in Gandhinagar directed state police units to trace Indian fugitives, setting the stage for a cross-border manhunt.
The Challenging Manhunt and Arrest in Ahmedabad
The trail eventually led back to Ahmedabad, but not without significant hurdles. PSI J B Desai of the SOG, who led the operation, highlighted the initial challenge posed by Chunara's common name. "When I opened the case, I found at least 67 persons with the same name. We narrowed it down to 16-17 and began discreet checks," an officer involved in the investigation stated.
Through persistent surveillance, police zeroed in on Chunara, who had returned to Ahmedabad via the Indo-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh soon after the jailbreak. He was found living with his mother-in-law, who had previously been arrested in a prohibition case, according to police sources.
SOG teams maintained a close watch before apprehending him on Monday. During questioning, Chunara admitted to escaping from the Kathmandu jail during the protests and slipping back into India to avoid detection, confirming the police's suspicions.
Legal Proceedings and International Coordination
With Chunara now in custody, Ahmedabad police are focused on completing the necessary legal formalities. They plan to coordinate with central agencies and Nepal authorities for his eventual handover, ensuring that justice is served across borders. This case underscores the complexities of transnational crime and the relentless efforts of law enforcement to bring fugitives to book.
The arrest not only closes a loop on Chunara's illicit journey but also serves as a stark reminder of the evolving nature of drug trafficking networks that span from local neighborhoods to international borders.
