JHAJJAR: In a wedding marked by tight security, a 12-hour custody parole and an unusual journey from Cambodia to Haryana, 45-year-old life convict gangste Manpal Dhilla married his Cambodian partner, 36-year-old Metachan, at a farmhouse near Jhajjar jail on Thursday.Dhilla, who is lodged in Jhajjar jail, was permitted to leave the prison at around 8am to attend the wedding. After completing the ceremonies and spending the day with his family and guests, he returned to jail at around 8pm.Jhajjar Sadar police station SHO sub-inspector Dharmendra said the wedding passed off peacefully without any untoward incident. Security was strengthened around the farmhouse as a precautionary measure.The wedding venue, located close to the jail, witnessed the presence of family members, relatives and friends.Around 500 guests were expected to attend the ceremony. Guests were screened at the entrance, with their identity details, names and mobile numbers recorded. Police personnel maintained a close watch on the venue and surrounding area.Metachan wore a traditional red bridal lehenga for the ceremony, while Dhilla appeared in an off-white sherwani. The couple exchanged garlands and completed the wedding rituals in the presence of their families.Speaking after the ceremony, Metachan said she was extremely happy after getting married. She said she planned to stay with her in-laws for a few days before returning to Cambodia.“I am very happy after coming to India and getting married. I also liked the food here,” she said, adding that she was yet to decide when she would return to India.Dhilla described the wedding as the beginning of a new chapter in his life.According to the information available, Dhilla went to Cambodia after escaping while out on parole in 2018. It was there that he met Metachan, who lived in the neighbourhood where he was staying.Their acquaintance gradually developed into a relationship, after which the two began living together. Dhilla reportedly started a beer bar and restaurant business in Cambodia, with Metachan also helping him in the business.After nearly eight years together, the couple decided to marry.Metachan arrived in India on September 12 with three children. According to the family, the couple have four children in all.The family has said Metachan will stay with her in-laws until October 10 before returning to Cambodia. Her future visits to India will depend on the required documentation and permissions.Dhilla has been named in 22 criminal cases, according to the information provided, including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, robbery, dacoity, criminal conspiracy and illegal weapons. He has reportedly received life sentences in three murder cases.His name also surfaced in connection with the killing of an inmate while he was lodged in Bhondsi jail in 2014.After escaping while on parole in 2018, Dhilla remained in Cambodia for several years. He is currently lodged in Jhajjar jail.By 8pm on Thursday, the wedding celebrations were over, and Dhilla was back behind the gates of Jhajjar jail, bringing an unusual 12-hour chapter of his life outside prison to an end.
