Nepal's former prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, and the former home minister, Ramesh Lekhak, have been arrested on charges related to the deadly crackdown on Gen Z-led anti-corruption protests in September. The arrests, made on Saturday, follow recommendations from an investigative panel that found both officials negligent in preventing the deaths of 76 protesters, which ultimately led to Mr Oli's resignation.
Arrests Under Criminal Code
According to Nepal police spokesperson Om Adhikari, Mr Oli and Mr Lekhak were detained at the Kathmandu Police Office. Mr Oli faces suspicion of violating Section 182 of the Criminal Code 2017, which prohibits negligent killing and carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to thirty thousand rupees. Meanwhile, Mr Lekhak has been accused of ordering security forces to fire on demonstrators during the protests.
Investigation Commission Findings
The arrests were executed based on the findings of a high-level commission that investigated the violence. The panel concluded that Mr Oli failed to take any action to stop hours of firing, which resulted in the deaths of at least 19 Gen Z protesters on 8 September. While the report could not definitively prove an explicit order to open fire was given, it stated that Mr Oli and authorities made no meaningful effort to halt the shootings.
Political Context and New Leadership
The arrests occur just a day after rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah was sworn in as Nepal's new prime minister. Mr Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party achieved a landslide victory in this month's general election, with public anger over the protest crackdown believed to have fueled his rise. Hours after forming his cabinet, Mr Shah moved swiftly to implement the commission's recommendations, signaling a commitment to accountability.
Reactions and Legal Challenges
Nepal's current home minister, Sudan Gurung, announced the arrests on social media, emphasizing that no one is above the law. In a Facebook post, he stated, "This is not revenge against anyone, just the beginning of justice," and added, "You messed with the wrong generation." However, Mr Oli's lawyer, Tikaram Bhattarai, has criticized the arrest as illegal and improper, arguing there was no risk of Mr Oli fleeing or avoiding questioning. Mr Oli, who has undergone two kidney transplants, was reportedly transferred to a hospital by police following his detention.
The case highlights ongoing tensions in Nepal's political landscape, as the new government seeks to address past grievances and uphold legal standards in the wake of tragic events that have reshaped the nation's leadership.
