A total of 5,174 prisoners and detainees who escaped during the GenZ protest on Sept 8 are still at large. According to the Department of Prison Management, 14,549 inmates had escaped from various prisons and juvenile reform centers across Nepal. Of them, 8,856 prisoners and 597 juveniles have since turned themselves in or rearrested. Earlier, on Sept 11, the Department had issued a public notice urging escaped inmates and juveniles to surrender at their respective prisons. The notice warned that those who failed to return by Oct 6 would face additional legal penalties under the Prison Management Act, 2079 (2022), and other prevailing laws.
Following the notice, Nepal Police Headquarters also repeatedly called on the fugitives to contact nearby prisons.
Director of the Department of Prison Management, Chomendra Neupane, said correspondence has been made to place the foreign fugitives on a blacklist. Considering the possibility of escape across the open border with India, the Department has shared details of the fugitives with border checkpoints and intensified surveillance along frontier areas.
Similarly, Director General of the Department of Immigration Ram Chandra Tiwari said all escaped inmates have been blacklisted to prevent them from fleeing through Nepal’s airports or open borders. “Given the open border with India, there’s a high chance that some of these fugitives may cross over. We have tightened checks at all border points and circulated their records to every airport,” Tiwari said.
According to Director Neupane, the Prison Act provisions stipulate up to five years in prison or a fine of Rs 50,000—or both for those who escape from prisons, reform centers, or rehabilitation homes while on probation or parole. In cases where inmates were involved in damaging prison property or aiding destruction during the escape, they could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines up to Rs 100,000.
Neupane further warned that those who knowingly shelter, protect, or conceal escaped prisoners will also face punishment under the same Act. “If anyone is found helping fugitives evade capture or providing them shelter, they could face up to three years in jail or fines of Rs 30,000—or both,” he said.
The Department has formed a ‘Fugitive Search and Arrest Task Force’ in each district, coordinated by the Assistant Chief District Officer, to locate and apprehend the escaped inmates. Despite the large number of fugitives, authorities remain confident. “Since prison administrations have the inmates’ addresses and family records, they cannot hide for long,” Director Nyaupane asserted.
