Fugitive Nabbed After 21 Years in Duty Related Murder Case

Kathmandu

In a rare but significant case of delayed justice, Fugitive Nabbed After 21 Years in Duty Related Murder Case by Nepal Police. The suspect was wanted in connection with a duty related homicide, a legal charge involving the unlawful killing that occurs in the line of official or personal responsibility.

According to the Nepal Police, the individual had been on the run for over two decades before being tracked down and apprehended this month. The case reflects systemic challenges within Nepal justice and law enforcement systems, where long delays in investigation and prosecution are not uncommon, especially in older cases lacking proper digital records or centralized tracking.

This case mirrors public frustration surrounding high profile unresolved cases in Nepal, such as the 2018 rape and murder of 13 year old Nirmala Panta in Kanchanpur. That case sparked nationwide protests due to mishandling by the police, evidence tampering, and delayed justice, raising broader concerns about institutional failures in Nepal’s criminal justice system. While the circumstances differ, both cases expose persistent gaps in evidence management, accountability, and timely investigation.

The arrest of the fugitive after 21 years is also likely the result of enhanced international cooperation. Similar success was seen in March 2025, when Nepal Police, working with INTERPOL, arrested Sakil Husen, a fugitive involved in a murder case, in Qatar, using a Red Notice alert, a global mechanism used to locate and provisionally arrest wanted individuals.

Although Nepal Police have not officially confirmed if INTERPOL or other international agencies were involved in this latest case, it is becoming increasingly common for Nepal to rely on global law enforcement networks, especially in cases where suspects flee abroad.

In recent years, Nepal has begun digitizing criminal records, updating wanted persons databases, and participating in cross border data sharing, especially in coordination with INTERPOL, SAARC Police, and other intelligence agencies. These initiatives are part of a broader move toward modern policing methods, aiming to improve the tracking of long term fugitives and serious crime suspects.

The arrest of a fugitive more than two decades after the crime was committed marks a significant moment in Nepal’s pursuit of justice. It highlights both the possibility of redemption for long ignored cases and the continuing need to strengthen law enforcement, digital tracking, and international cooperation.

As Nepal Police press forward with efforts to resolve cold cases and restore public confidence in the legal system, this arrest serves as a reminder that justice, though delayed, is still possible provided that the right tools, cooperation, and accountability are in place.