Gujarat Man Who Escaped Nepal Jail During Gen Z Protests Apprehended in Ahmedabad
In a significant development, a man from Gujarat who was imprisoned in Nepal on drug-related charges and managed to escape during last year's widespread anti-government protests led by Gen Z youth has been captured by authorities in Ahmedabad. The police confirmed the detention on Tuesday, highlighting a cross-border effort to track down fugitives.
Details of the Arrest and Escape
Dharmesh Rasiklal Chunara, a resident of Ahmedabad in his early thirties, was apprehended by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Ahmedabad City Police. According to Sharad Singhal, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Chunara's arrest follows an intensive investigation that utilized both technical surveillance and human intelligence to locate him at his home.
The case dates back to July of last year when Chunara was arrested in Nepal. He had flown from Bangkok, Thailand, to Kathmandu, Nepal, aboard Thai Airways flight TG319. Upon arrival, authorities seized 13 kg of hybrid ganja from him, with an estimated value of Rs 13 crore. Consequently, he was imprisoned at Bhadra jail within the Kathmandu Central Jail facility.
Escape During Gen Z Protests
In September 2025, mass anti-government protests erupted in Nepal, primarily driven by Gen Z activists. These demonstrations led to significant vandalism at the prison premises, creating chaos that allowed a large number of inmates, including Chunara, to escape from the central jail. The protests were part of a broader movement expressing discontent with governmental policies, and the prison break added a layer of complexity to the situation.
Following the escape, the Nepal government compiled a list of absconding prisoners, many of whom were Indian nationals. This list was subsequently handed over to the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in New Delhi, which then disseminated the information to various state authorities across India. In Gujarat, the CID Crime unit in Gandhinagar was tasked with pursuing the fugitives.
Investigation and Capture
Out of the two individuals from Gujarat identified on the list, both arrested on drug charges, Chunara has now been detained. The other person, hailing from Surat, remains at large and continues to evade arrest. JCP Singhal emphasized that the SOG's efforts in tracking Chunara involved meticulous planning and coordination, ultimately leading to his capture based on credible intelligence about his whereabouts.
Interestingly, it has been revealed that Chunara's mother-in-law is allegedly a listed bootlegger in Ahmedabad, though the police have not specified if this connection played a role in the investigation. As of now, there is no clarity on the deportation proceedings following Chunara's detention, leaving questions about his eventual legal handling unresolved.
Broader Implications
This incident underscores the challenges posed by cross-border crime and the importance of international cooperation in law enforcement. The Gen Z protests in Nepal, which facilitated the jailbreak, reflect a growing trend of youth-led movements that can have unintended consequences, such as enabling fugitives to flee. Authorities in both India and Nepal are likely to review security protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The capture of Chunara serves as a reminder of the relentless pursuit of justice, even in the face of complex geopolitical and social dynamics. It also highlights the role of specialized police units like the SOG in tackling high-profile cases involving international elements.
