January 18, 2025
Charles Sobhraj, born on April 6, 1944, in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam), is a French serial killer, fraudster, and thief who targeted Western tourists traveling along the "hippie trail" in South Asia during the 1970s. He earned the moniker "The Serpent" due to his deceptive nature and ability to evade authorities.
Criminal Activities
Sobhraj is believed to have murdered at least 20 tourists across South and Southeast Asia, including 14 in Thailand. His modus operandi involved posing as a gem trader or drug dealer to befriend his victims, whom he would then drug, rob, and murder. His victims were often found in bikinis, leading to his nickname "The Bikini Killer."
Imprisonment and Legal Proceedings
In 1976, Sobhraj was arrested in India after poisoning a group of French tourists in New Delhi. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison but orchestrated a daring escape in 1986 by drugging guards with sleeping pills. He was recaptured in Goa and served an additional sentence until his release in 1997.
In 2003, Sobhraj returned to Nepal, where he was arrested and convicted for the 1975 murder of American tourist Connie Jo Bronzich. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. In 2014, he was also convicted for the murder of Canadian tourist Laurent Carrière and sentenced to an additional 20 years.
Recent Developments
On December 21, 2022, Nepal's Supreme Court ordered Sobhraj's release from prison due to his age and health conditions, after he had served 19 years of his 20-year sentence. He was deported to France on December 23, 2022, and barred from returning to Nepal for 10 years.
Cultural Impact
Sobhraj's life and crimes have been the subject of various media portrayals, including the 2021 BBC/Netflix drama series "The Serpent" and the 2025 Netflix India series "Black Warrant," where he is portrayed by actor Sidhant Gupta.
Personal Life
In 2010, Sobhraj married his Indian-Nepali interpreter, Nihita Biswas, who was 20 years old at the time. Their relationship attracted media attention, and Biswas later appeared on the Indian reality show "Bigg Boss."
Charles Sobhraj remains a controversial figure, with his life story continuing to captivate public interest through various media adaptations.
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