Nepal Arrests Former PM K.P. Sharma Oli, Ex-Home Minister Over Protest Deaths

Authorities in Nepal have arrested former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak over alleged negligence linked to the deaths of protesters during last year’s unrest.

The arrests, carried out on Saturday, follow the implementation of recommendations by a judicial commission that investigated the deadly September protests largely driven by Gen Z demonstrators.

Current Home Minister Sudan Gurung confirmed the move, stating on Facebook that “no one is above the law,” while dismissing claims of political vendetta. He described the arrests as “the beginning of justice” and expressed hope for a new direction for the country.

A heavy police presence was deployed at Oli’s residence in Bhaktapur after the Cabinet approved the commission’s findings during its first meeting under new Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

The panel, chaired by retired judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, recommended investigations into Oli, Lekhak and Police Chief Chandra Kuber Khapung for alleged criminal negligence leading to protesters’ deaths.

Supporters of Oli’s party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), clashed with security forces outside his residence before police dispersed the crowd and effected the arrest.

Both the UML and the Nepali Congress have rejected the commission’s report, describing it as biased and incomplete. UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet accused the government of acting out of “prejudice and revenge” and called on party members to stage protests. An emergency party meeting is expected to determine further action.

The arrests stem from last September’s nationwide demonstrations, triggered by a government ban on social media platforms. The protests led to the ouster of Oli’s administration after at least 25 people, mostly young demonstrators, were killed and about 700 others injured in clashes with security forces.