Babu Thapa, serving a life sentence for the murder of former Supreme Court Justice Rana Bahadur Bam, has been arrested in Sarlahi after escaping from jail during the Gen Z protests in September 2025.
Police apprehended Thapa at his home in Milan Chowk, Bagmati Municipality, on Wednesday night after learning he had returned to the area.
Sarlahi Superintendent of Police Rabindra Nath Paudel reported that two pistols, three magazines, and fifteen rounds of ammunition were found at the time of his arrest.
Charges for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition will be filed against him in the Sarlahi District Court.
Escape During Gen-Z Protests
Thapa escaped from the Central Jail in Jagannathdewal, Kathmandu, on September 9, 2025, amid the Gen Z protests.
Police stated he was hiding in various locations in Nepal and India after his escape.
Authorities received tips that he was altering his appearance and using others’ mobile phones to communicate.
His recent arrest followed months of being on the run after escaping from jail. In addition to his life sentence, he will face charges for illegal firearms possession.
Previous Arrest After Long Investigation
Thapa was initially arrested in 2014 after evading capture for two years and seven months following Justice Bam’s murder.
Police had monitored his activities for a year before arresting him and presenting him in court.
At that time, Thapa served as the vice chairman of the Chure Bhawar Rastriya Party.
He was subsequently convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Nepal Police hailed the arrest as a significant achievement, as it took years to locate him.
Inspector General of Nepal Police Upendra Kant Aryal praised the team responsible for his capture during a press conference.
Justice Rana Bahadur Bam was shot dead on May 31, 2012, in UN Park, Lalitpur, after praying at the Bangalamukhi Temple.
While returning, assailants stopped his vehicle and killed him.
The murder was linked to internal party disputes and a Supreme Court order concerning the leadership of the Chure Bhawar Rastriya Party.
The Election Commission recognized Thapa’s faction as the legitimate party leadership, but Keshav Mainali’s faction contested this in the Supreme Court.
Justice Bam issued an interim order halting the Election Commission’s decision, which is believed to have motivated Thapa to kill him.
Legal Action to Follow
Police confirmed they would pursue legal action against Thapa for illegal firearm possession following his recent arrest in Sarlahi.
The investigation will also examine the illegal firearms while the murder case against him continues.
This arrest concludes months of police efforts to bring him to justice after his escape. Authorities have not yet disclosed details regarding the firearms or any potential additional suspects in the case.