Haryana gangster Mainpal Dhilla, alias Maipal Badli, has been in the news. This time, not for a crime, but for his decision to marry a Cambodian woman. Dhilla, who is serving a life sentence in a jail in Haryana's Jhajjar, has been given parole for his wedding. The authorities granted him a 'custody parole' for 12 hours, from 8 am to 8 pm and after the marriage, the gangster will return to jail.
Why Is Dhilla's Marriage Creating Headlines?
Dhilla's wedding is not a normal one. He will remain in custody during the marriage rituals. His bride is also not an Indian woman. She is from Cambodia, with whom Dhilla spent several years while remaining on the run. Meta Chan is a mother of four. Dhilla's marriage is set to take place at a farmhouse near the jail.
Dhilla, a resident of Jhajjar's Badli village, fell in love with her when he fled to Cambodia while on parole. The gangster started living with Chan and had four children.
Dhilla Repatriated From Cambodia
Dhilla was arrested after being extradited from Cambodia in an operation coordinated by the CBI in collaboration with the state police and the Union ministries of Home and External Affairs in September 2025.
Cases Against Haryana's Most-Wanted Criminal
There are 22 criminal cases, including murder, against Dhilla. He was serving a life term in a Hisar jail after being convicted in three cases lodged in 2007 and 2010.
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The gangster is also accused of killing a person while in jail. He was released on parole on July 17, 2018 and fled the country on August 29, 2018, using a fake identity in the name of Sonu Kumar. He arrived in Cambodia on a fake passport and started living there. Dhilla began a business in Cambodia while living with Chan.
(With PTI inputs)