Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: An Indian national from Gujarat, who escaped from a jail during last year’s “Gen Z” protests in Nepal, has been apprehended by Ahmedabad Police, officials said on Tuesday.Dharmesh Chunara, a resident of Thakkarbapa Nagar Road in Ahmedabad, was arrested by the Special Operation Group (SOG) Crime Branch, according to a police release.
He had fled Bhadra Jail in Kathmandu, the capital of the neighbouring Himalayan country, during last year’s protests.Chunara, who had arrived in Kathmandu from Thailand’s Bangkok, was caught with 13 kilograms of hybrid ganja valued at around Rs 13 crore. Following legal action by Nepalese authorities, he was sent to Bhadra Jail.During the protests, demonstrators vandalised the jail, leading to the escape of all inmates, including some Indian nationals. Chunara entered India via the Sonauli border in Uttar Pradesh, from where he came to Ahmedabad.According to police, the Nepal government released a list of escaped prisoners, based on which the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Delhi, circulated the details to all Indian states, including the CID Crime unit in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar.Chunara, whose full name and address were not immediately available, was traced through a combination of human intelligence and technical analysis.In September 2025, Nepal was shaken by large-scale youth-led demonstrations, known as the “Gen Z protests.” The immediate trigger was the government’s ban on social media platforms, which escalated into violent clashes following a crackdown. The protests grew into a broader movement addressing multiple grievances, ultimately leading to the toppling of the KP Sharma Oli-led government and the formation of a caretaker administration.Nepal is now scheduled to hold its next parliamentary elections on March 5.(With PTI inputs)
