Gold smuggling case leader Chudamani Upreti ‘Gore’ escapes from prison

Chudamani Upreti, also known as Gore, a key figure in the high-profile gold smuggling and murder case, has escaped from Sundhara Central Jail.

He fled after Gen Z protests turned violent, leading to arson and vandalism inside the prison. During the chaos, around 3,300 inmates escaped from Sundhara prison alone. Out of 3,800 total prisoners, only about 500 remained inside. Some of the escapees have already returned, while others are still on the way back, according to police.

Security sources said prisoners who had broken out of Nakkhu prison came around 10 PM and joined the attack on Sundhara jail. Police officers deployed for security later ran away toward the Army Headquarters. The Nepal Army only arrived after that, but by then, about 3,300 prisoners had already escaped.

Gore, who was among those who escaped, had been convicted in connection with the 38 quintal gold smuggling case. During the investigation into the murder of Sanam Shakya from Urlabari, Morang, police found that on January 23, 2018 (Magh 9, 2074 BS), 33.5 kg of smuggled gold had gone missing after arriving from Dubai, and Sanam was killed because he was used as a porter.

After police officers themselves were accused of involvement in the smuggling, the Home Ministry formed an investigation committee led by then joint secretary Ishwar Raj Paudel.

The committee concluded that Gore’s group had smuggled 38 quintals of gold between 2015 and February 2018 (2015 – Falgun 2074 BS). A case was filed against 63 people, including 9 police officers, but not a single kilogram of gold was recovered.

Since the gold was never recovered, Morang District Court acquitted all of them. But later, on October 5, 2021 (Ashoj 19, 2078 BS), Judge Bharat Lamsal’s bench sentenced Gore and 5 others to life imprisonment for the murder of Sanam Shakya. One person was sentenced to 3 years in prison, and another received a 6-month sentence.