Eight inmates, including five convicted of rape and three facing theft charges, escaped Dolpa District Prison in Dunai, Dolpa, by digging a tunnel between Friday night and Saturday morning. The prisoners dug a tunnel approximately 4 to 4.63 meters long from their sleeping quarters to a septic tank and then outside the prison walls.
Junu Hamal Dhakal, the Chief District Officer of Dolpa, reported that all 17 inmates were accounted for during a count at 5:30 PM on Friday. However, during a subsequent count at 6:15 AM on Saturday, eight inmates were found missing. Dil Bahadur RC, the Jailer of Dolpa District Prison, confirmed that the escape likely occurred after midnight on Friday.
Background
- Eight inmates escaped Dolpa District Prison by digging a tunnel.
- Five of the escapees were serving sentences for rape, and three were awaiting trial for theft.
- The inmates dug a tunnel from their sleeping quarters to a septic tank and then outside the prison.
- The sleeping quarters were made of unpaved earth, which made digging easier, according to Jailer Dil Bahadur RC.
Details of the escapees and tunnel
According to the Karnali Province Police Office, five of the escapees were serving sentences for rape, while three were awaiting trial for theft. Jailer RC also confirmed these numbers. Two of the inmates facing theft charges had been brought to the prison approximately three months ago and were being held for pre-trial detention.
The police administration has not publicly released the identities of the eight escaped inmates. The Dolpa District Prison, located in Dunai, the district headquarters, is situated near the Bheri River.
Jailer RC explained that the inmates dug the tunnel from their sleeping quarters to the septic tank and then out of the prison. The sleeping quarters were made of unpaved earth, which made it easier for them to dig the tunnel. Chief District Officer Dhakal noted that the tunnel appeared to have been dug with tools such as shovels or pickaxes, indicating it was not a minor excavation.
The Karnali Province Police Office stated that the inmates dug a 4.63-meter tunnel and breached the prison wall to escape. Measurements of the tunnel are currently being taken, and a report is being prepared.
Investigation and search operations
Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Key areas of inquiry include how the tools used for digging the tunnel were obtained and why the prison administration failed to detect such a significant excavation. Chief District Officer Dhakal, District Police Chief (DSP) Anilraj Giri, and other officials are actively involved in the search for the escaped inmates.
Authorities have initiated a search operation for the fugitives. The prison has also issued a public appeal, urging citizens not to provide shelter to the escaped inmates. If convicted of escaping from prison, the inmates could face an additional five years in jail.
Unanswered questions
Several questions remain unanswered, including the origin of the tools used for digging the tunnel and why the prison administration did not detect the extensive digging. The extent of any potential complicity in the escape will only become clear after further investigation. The current whereabouts of the escaped inmates are unknown.
