In a significant development, Ahmedabad Police has successfully apprehended an Indian national from Gujarat who managed to escape from a jail in Nepal during the tumultuous "Gen Z" protests that rocked the neighbouring country last year. Officials confirmed the arrest on Tuesday, marking the culmination of an extensive cross-border manhunt.
Details of the Arrest and Escape
The arrested individual has been identified as Dharmesh Chunara, a resident of Thakkarbapa Nagar Road in Ahmedabad. According to a detailed police release, the Special Operation Group (SOG) Crime Branch of Ahmedabad Police executed the arrest. Chunara's dramatic escape occurred from Bhadra Jail in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, amidst the chaos of last year's widespread youth-led demonstrations.
Criminal Background and Apprehension in Nepal
Prior to his incarceration, Chunara had arrived in Kathmandu from Bangkok, Thailand. Nepalese authorities caught him in possession of a substantial quantity of narcotics—specifically, 13 kilograms of hybrid ganja. The estimated street value of this contraband was a staggering Rs 13 crore. Following legal proceedings, he was remanded to Bhadra Jail.
The opportunity for escape arose during the peak of the Gen Z protests in Nepal. Demonstrators, in a violent outburst, vandalised the jail facility. This breach led to the mass escape of all inmates, including several Indian nationals. Taking advantage of the pandemonium, Chunara fled and subsequently entered India through the ISonauli border in Uttar Pradesh. From there, he made his way back to his home city of Ahmedabad.
Coordinated Efforts Leading to Capture
The arrest was the result of meticulous and coordinated efforts between multiple agencies. After the jailbreak, the Nepal government compiled and released a comprehensive list of the escaped prisoners. This critical information was then shared with Indian authorities.
The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Delhi took the lead in circulating these details to all Indian states, including the CID Crime unit based in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Despite initial challenges, such as the unavailability of Chunara's full name and complete address, law enforcement persisted. His eventual tracing was achieved through a sophisticated combination of human intelligence gathered from ground sources and advanced technical analysis.
Context of the Nepal Gen Z Protests
To understand the backdrop of this escape, it is essential to recall the seismic events of September last year in Nepal. The nation was convulsed by large-scale, youth-led demonstrations that came to be known as the "Gen Z protests." The immediate catalyst for the unrest was the government's controversial decision to impose a ban on popular social media platforms.
This action sparked initial discontent, which rapidly escalated into violent clashes following a heavy-handed crackdown by authorities. The protests evolved beyond their original trigger, morphing into a broader movement that channeled widespread public grievances against the establishment. The political upheaval was so profound that it ultimately led to the toppling of the government led by KP Sharma Oli, paving the way for a caretaker administration to take charge.
In the wake of this political reset, Nepal is now preparing for its next chapter. The country is scheduled to hold its crucial parliamentary elections on March 5, an event that will shape its future trajectory.
The arrest of Dharmesh Chunara underscores the ongoing collaboration between Indian and Nepalese law enforcement and highlights the long arm of justice, even for those who attempt to vanish in the fog of international turmoil and civil unrest.
