Murder convict rearrested after jailbreak, escape plan
Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
- A convicted murderer, Sapana Tamang, who was serving a 25-year sentence for murder, kidnapping, and robbery, was rearrested after escaping from Sundhara Central Jail during protests.
- Tamang had previously been convicted of murder after abducting and killing a six-year-old girl for her gold earrings in 2020, and had a history of theft charges.
- Police believe her escape, initially occurring amid unrest, evolved into a planned attempt to rebuild her life with help from a man she met in jail.
The Kathmandu Post reports on the rearrest of Sapana Tamang, a woman convicted of murder, kidnapping, and robbery, who had escaped from Sundhara Central Jail. Tamang, who is serving a 25-year sentence, was apprehended after nearly two months on the run.
At first glance, no one would think she had been convicted of such serious crimes.
Her conviction stems from a heinous crime committed in 2020, where she abducted and murdered a six-year-old girl after attempting to snatch her gold earrings. This act of violence, coupled with a prior history of theft, paints a grim picture of her criminal past. The article highlights the chilling contrast between her outward appearance and the severity of her crimes, with Senior Superintendent of Police Santosh Khadka noting that "at first glance, no one would think she had been convicted of such serious crimes."
The escape itself, which occurred during the Gen Z protests, initially seemed like a consequence of the jail's damage and the ensuing unrest. However, investigators now suggest a more calculated plan was in motion. Tamang allegedly formed a relationship with an individual met through jail connections, who may have assisted her in her attempt to start a new life outside prison walls. This detail adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, suggesting that even within the confines of the correctional system, external influences and personal connections can play a significant role in subsequent actions.
The child recognised her clearly, and she realised she could be identified.
From a Nepali perspective, this case underscores the persistent challenges within the correctional system, particularly in managing high-security inmates and preventing escapes, especially during periods of civil unrest. The rearrest highlights the diligence of the police force in tracking down escapees, but also raises questions about prison security and the potential for inmates to maintain external networks that facilitate further criminal activity. The narrative, as presented, focuses on the individual's actions and the police investigation, reflecting a common approach in Nepali crime reporting that emphasizes the factual account of the crime and its resolution.
She abducted the girl and later killed her, and hid the body in a cave covered with leaves near Nagurdung cliff in Palep of Kalika Rural Municipality-1.
Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.