Sunil Sah, an inmate convicted of rape, escaped from Birgunj Prison in Parsa on Thursday, November 12, 2026, while cleaning the facility. Following his escape, security and surveillance have been significantly increased along the Nepal-India border, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Chakra Bahadur Malla.
Sah, from Satbariya in Pokhariya Municipality, broke through the prison’s security perimeter. Given Birgunj’s proximity to the open border with India, authorities suspect Sah may attempt to flee into India, leading to intensified checks at border crossings and main checkpoints.
Background
- Birgunj Prison, operational since 1972, faces significant overcrowding challenges.
- As of March 10, 2027, the prison, designed for 200 inmates, housed 1,205 prisoners, nearly six times its capacity.
- Prisons across Madhesh Province, with a combined capacity of 1,219, held 3,069 inmates as of the same date, posing serious challenges to security, health, sanitation, and daily management.
- In September 2025, an attempt by inmates to break out of Birgunj Prison was thwarted by the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police.
Parsa Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal confirmed the escape. Assistant Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Chapagain stated that an internal investigation into the incident has been initiated. The prison administration has also begun an internal inquiry to identify security lapses and the cause of the escape.
The District Police Office Parsa and the Armed Police Force have deployed teams and intensified search operations for Sah. Details regarding the exact time and method of Sah’s escape are still under investigation.
What happens next
Local administration is conducting a detailed investigation, and the results of the prison administration's internal inquiry are awaited.
