Kathmandu, March 28 — Former Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who was arrested Saturday morning, has been admitted to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu. Police took Oli into custody at his Bhaktapur residence in connection with an alleged culpable-homicide case tied to the suppression of the September 2025 Gen Z-led anti-corruption protests.
CPN-UML leader Raghuji Pant criticised the investigation committee report that prompted the arrest, saying it “doesn’t have enough grounds for the arrest” and alleging the document was prepared “with an intention.” Former foreign minister and party leader Pradeep Gyawali described the move as “political revenge taken against our chairman.” In response to the arrests, the CPN-UML has called an emergency secretariat meeting.
Nepali Congress leader and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak was also arrested earlier from his residence. Authorities said the arrests followed a formal complaint filed by the Home Ministry, which led to an investigation and the issuance of arrest warrants.
Police said the action implements recommendations from a commission led by former Special Court judge Gauri Bahadur Karki. The commission recommended that Oli, Lekhak and then Inspector General of Police Chandra Kuber Khapung be charged under Sections 181 and 182 of the National Penal Code for criminal negligence, with potential prison terms of up to 10 years.
The Karki commission also recommended action against Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Dawadi, Armed Police Force chief Raju Aryal, former head of the National Investigation Department Hutaraj Thapa, and then-chief district officer of Kathmandu Chhabi Rijal, suggesting prosecution under Section 182. It urged that other officials deemed responsible be dealt with under the laws governing their organisations.
The report attributed the crackdown on the Gen Z protests to criminal negligence and recklessness, citing a failure to act on prior intelligence about possible escalation. The September 2025 protests resulted in the deaths of 77 people and widespread damage to government and private property.
A Cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Friday decided to implement the commission’s report, clearing the way for legal action against those named. The Cabinet also agreed to form a study committee to examine issues related to security personnel based on the Karki commission’s recommendations and a separate investigation committee to probe the role of security agencies; the government said these measures would be implemented immediately in cases involving political leaders and others.
The newly formed government publicised the decisions taken at its first Cabinet meeting. Along with implementing the commission’s report, Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s first Cabinet meeting adopted four major decisions, including the formation of committees linked to the Gen Z movement probe. (ANI)
