Kathmandu, Mar 28: Nepal’s former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli was arrested on Saturday following the government’s decision to act on a probe commission report into last year’s Gen Z protest crackdown that left 76 people dead.
Oli, who also chairs the CPN-UML, was detained early morning from Gundu in Bhaktapur district, about 12 km east of Kathmandu, police said. Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak was also arrested from his residence in Katunje, Suryabinayak Municipality in the same district.
Both leaders face charges linked to the suppression of the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9 last year, during which dozens, including nearly two dozen youths, were killed. The probe commission investigating the incident had recommended criminal action against them and others.
The newly formed government led by Balendra Shah decided in its first cabinet meeting on Friday to immediately implement the panel’s recommendations.
Home Minister Sudhan Gurung said in a social post that the arrests marked the beginning of justice, stressing that no one is above the law. He added that the move was not driven by revenge but aimed at accountability.
Police said both Oli and Lekhak have been kept at the Kathmandu District Police Circle in Bhadrakali. The commission has proposed a jail term ranging from three to ten years for those found guilty.
A senior officer said the two will be produced before the Kathmandu District Court on Sunday due to a public holiday on Saturday, after which formal investigation procedures will begin. Oli was also taken to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for a medical examination following his detention.
Meanwhile, the CPN-UML has convened an emergency secretariat meeting at its central office in Lalitpur to discuss the developments. (Agencies)
