Former Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli arrested over Gen Z protest crackdown: Here's what happened?

Former Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and ex-home minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested on Saturday in connection with a culpable homicide case linked to the crackdown on youth-led “Gen Z protests” in September, police officials said.

Oli was taken into custody from his residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, while Lekhak was arrested earlier in the morning from Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur, around 5 am, according to officials and Lekhak’s personal secretary.

The arrests follow a formal complaint filed by Nepal’s home ministry and subsequent recommendations by a high-level probe panel.

Commission flags ‘criminal negligence’ in crackdown

The action stems from findings of a commission led by former Special Court judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, which examined the handling of the protests.

Also Read | From rapper to PM: Balen Shah takes oath as Nepal's youngest leader

According to a report cited by The Kathmandu Post, the panel recommended that Oli, Lekhak and former Inspector General of Police Chandra Kuber Khapung be charged under Sections 181 and 182 of Nepal’s National Penal Code, which deal with criminal negligence and carry a maximum prison term of up to 10 years.

The commission held officials responsible for failing to act on prior intelligence warnings about a possible escalation during the protests. A total of 77 people were killed, and property worth billions was damaged during the unrest.

The panel also recommended legal action against several other officials, including former home secretary Gokarna Mani Dawadi, Armed Police Force chief Raju Aryal, former National Investigation Department head Hutaraj Thapa and then Kathmandu Chief District Officer Chhabi Rijal.

Security tightened across Kathmandu Valley

Security was stepped up across the Kathmandu Valley ahead of the arrests, with teams from the Bhaktapur District Police Range and the Kathmandu Valley Police Office deployed in coordination.

Senior officials, including Home Secretary Raj Kumar Shrestha and Law Secretary Parashwor Dhungana, held consultations with security agencies before the operation. Home minister Sudhan Gurung also chaired late-night discussions with top officials on Friday.

Legal experts noted that the commission’s recommendation for formal reprimands against senior police officials could impact future promotions within the force.

Arrests come amid political transition

The arrests come a day after Balendra Shah was sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister following the March 5 parliamentary elections.

Also Read | 'One million troops on standby': Iran signals massive military buildup amid rising US tensions

Shah, 35, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party, assumed office under Article 76(1) of the Constitution after his party emerged as the largest. His swearing-in ceremony was held at the President’s Office in Sheetal Niwas and administered by President Ramchandra Paudel.

Following his appointment, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shah and expressed hope for closer cooperation between India and Nepal.