Manpal, also known as Dhila, hails from Badli village in the Jhajjar district and has lived a life that resembles a crime thriller. Facing numerous serious criminal charges including murder, robbery, and attacks on law enforcement, he had managed to flee abroad after jumping parole. Years later, following his eventual capture and return to prison, he has made headlines by marrying his Cambodian partner during a brief court-sanctioned parole.
Criminal Record and Imprisonment
Police records indicate that Manpal accumulated over two dozen grave criminal cases involving extortion, arms violations, and attempts to murder. A court found him guilty in multiple trials and sentenced him to life imprisonment, leading to his incarceration inside the central jail in Hisar. While serving his sentence, he obtained a temporary parole in 2018 but chose to abscond rather than report back to authorities, prompting law enforcement agencies to announce a substantial cash reward for information leading to his capture.
Using a Fake Identity to Flee India
To evade the massive manhunt launched across several states, the fugitive orchestrated a clever escape plan. Investigators found that he obtained fraudulent identity documents under the alias Sonu Kumar using a fabricated address in Gurugram. Equipped with a newly issued passport, he boarded a flight from Kolkata international airport and traveled to Bangkok, successfully slipping past immigration checks.
Building a New Life in Cambodia
After staying briefly in Thailand, he crossed into Cambodia by road and settled in the tourism hub of Siem Reap. There, he met a local woman named Chan Meta, also known as Metachan. The two pooled their savings to purchase a property and started a family together. He established a local restaurant and a discotheque, transforming himself into a successful entrepreneur while raising their three children named Bahubali, Bhagat Kumar, and Aastha.
Capture Through Immigration Checks
Indian authorities had maintained continuous pressure through Interpol red corner notices and lookout circulars. His years of hiding came to an end when he visited a local immigration office in Cambodia to renew his visa details. International databases flagged his true identity, leading local authorities to detain him and coordinate his handover to Indian security officials.
A Heavily Guarded Marriage Ceremony
Following his re-arrest and placement back into a high-security prison, he sought judicial permission to formalize his relationship with his partner. The court granted him a twelve-hour custody parole on humanitarian grounds. The wedding took place at a private farmhouse located in Dulina, Jhajjar, which was transformed into a fortress with heavy police deployment to monitor all attendees.
Traditional Rituals and Celebration
Dressed in an off-white sherwani, the fugitive participated in the wedding rituals alongside his bride Metachan, who wore a traditional Indian red lehenga. The ceremony followed Vedic rites and was attended by roughly five hundred guests, marking a dramatic chapter in the life of the once-wanted criminal.
