KATHMANDU: The District Police Office, Jhapa, has arrested 24 absconding defendants over a two-day special campaign launched to execute outstanding court judgments.

According to Police Inspector Bijay Chauhan, the joint operation successfully tracked down the fugitives at their homes and various hiding spots across the district.

For 20 of those apprehended, the enforcement of their court rulings will recover over Rs 600,000 in fines and account for a combined prison sentence of five years, three months, and six days.

All arrested individuals have been presented to the court to initiate their legal penalties.

The majority of those arrested were long-term fugitives involved in drug-related crimes, receiving various fines and prison sentences.

Additionally, police apprehended individuals convicted in other cases, including banking offenses, check bouncing, citizenship forgery, theft, and polygamy.

Emphasizing the importance of the crackdown, Superintendent of Police Basundhara Khadka stated that effectively executing court judgments is a critical pillar of the rule of law, and allowing convicts to remain at large deeply undermines public trust in the judicial delivery process.