Nepalese authorities have taken former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli into custody alongside ex-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, marking a significant development in the pursuit of accountability for September’s lethal protest suppression. The arrests occurred during early morning operations at their Kathmandu residences, where specialized police units transported both officials to district headquarters for processing.
This judicial action follows the conclusive findings of an official government commission that recommended substantial prison sentences—potentially extending to a decade—for those responsible for authorizing lethal force against demonstrators. The September uprising, characterized by widespread youth mobilization against systemic corruption and governance failures, resulted in 76 fatalities and over 2,300 casualties while culminating in the arson of multiple government facilities.
Home Minister Sudan Gurung emphasized the constitutional nature of these arrests through official social media channels, stating: ‘Legal accountability transcends political status. This constitutes neither vendetta nor retaliation, but rather the foundational implementation of judicial fairness.’
The timing coincides with the inauguration of a new administration led by Balendra Shah, whose Rastriya Swatantra Party achieved a decisive electoral victory this month. This political transition represents Nepal’s first national election since the revolutionary events of September, which previously compelled high-ranking officials to evacuate via military aircraft amid widespread civil unrest.
Notably, the protest movement catalyzed the historic appointment of Sushila Karki as Nepal’s inaugural female prime minister, who presided over the interim government until these recent elections. The current administration has prioritized justice for victims and institutional reform as central governance objectives.