A heavily guarded farmhouse in the Dulina area of Haryana's Jhajjar district became the venue for an unusual wedding ceremony when convicted criminal Mainpal Dhilla, who is serving a life term, married Cambodian national Metachan according to traditional Hindu rituals. The groom, a native of Badli, was temporarily let out of prison after securing a strictly regulated 12-hour parole sanction specifically to participate in his nuptials. Due to the sensitive nature of the event and the background of the convict, law enforcement personnel vastly outnumbered civilian attendees at the venue.
Tight Security Vigil and Strict Timeline Govern the Ceremony
Prison authorities released Mainpal around 8:00 AM under close police escort, with rigid instructions mandating his return behind bars by 8:00 PM the same evening. Because the parole window was exceptionally tight, the organizers scheduled every traditional observance down to the minute. Police cordoned off the entire farmhouse perimeter, scrutinizing every single relative and guest arriving at the gates and logging their personal credentials. In light of security protocols, media representatives were barred from entering the venue to film or cover the proceedings.
According to the schedule outlined on the wedding invitation, lunch arrangements were set for 12:00 PM, followed by the customary pre-wedding procession ritual on horseback at 2:00 PM, and the formal departure of the wedding procession at 3:00 PM. Catering arrangements accommodated between 500 and 600 invited relatives with an extensive assortment of traditional dishes. As soon as the seven circumambulations around the sacred fire and associated customs wrapped up, security teams escorted Mainpal straight back to custody within the sanctioned timeframe.
Metachan Arrives from Cambodia Along with Children
The bride, Metachan, traveled from Cambodia to Haryana to formalize their relationship under local customs. Dressed in an ornate sharara-gharara ensemble, she integrated into the family celebration and took part in all rituals. The couple shares four children, named Bahubali, Bhagat, Aastha, and Vandana. Metachan brought three of the children along with her to India for the ceremony, while one daughter remained in Cambodia. Metachan stated that she stays in steady telephonic contact with her daughter abroad.
Speaking during the wedding reception, Metachan expressed happiness over the occasion, remarking that she felt very pleased and that everything had gone smoothly. She noted that her parents and relatives back home were equally content with the development. Metachan added that her goal is to live peacefully and happily alongside her husband Mainpal and her newly extended family.
Mother-in-Law Roshni Welcomes Bride with Haryanvi Traditions
Mainpal's mother, Roshni, displayed visible joy upon welcoming her foreign daughter-in-law, who was dressed in traditional celebratory attire. Embracing local Haryanvi customs, Roshni placed her hand on Metachan's head to impart customary marital blessings. Expressing her delight, Roshni stated that she was thrilled that the daughter-in-law had entered their home.
Roshni also explained that this event gave the family their first opportunity in nearly 8 years to meet Mainpal face to face, turning the gathering into an emotional milestone for the household. She voiced strong confidence that Metachan would easily adapt to the family's customs, cultural habits, and domestic routine over time.
Jumped Parole, Cambodian Hideout, and the Convict's Legal Past
Mainpal Dhilla's legal troubles date back to 2007, when the Bahadurgarh Sadar police registered a serious criminal case against him involving charges of murder, attempt to murder, use of illegal firearms, and criminal conspiracy. Following trial proceedings, the court convicted him on all these counts in 2013, handing down a sentence of life imprisonment. In addition to that verdict, courts have found him guilty in two separate criminal cases.
While serving his term, Mainpal secured a six-week parole release from Hisar Central Jail on July 17, 2018. Instead of surrendering when his release tenure concluded, he jumped parole and fled overseas using illicit routes. Intelligence later established that he had established a base in Cambodia, where he eventually crossed paths with Metachan and started a family.
CBI Red Notice and International Extradition in 2025
To apprehend the fugitive convict, the Haryana Police sought federal intervention, prompting the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to secure an Interpol Red Notice against Mainpal on November 6, 2024. Working in coordination with Cambodian law enforcement authorities, international agencies tracked him down and arrested him on July 24, 2025.
Approximately one and a half months after his detention abroad, authorities extradited Mainpal back to India on September 2, 2025, returning him directly to prison custody to resume serving his life sentence. It was from within this ongoing prison term that he petitioned the judicial authorities for temporary relief, leading to the grant of his tightly monitored 12-hour wedding parole.
