Former Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was arrested Saturday morning in connection with a lethal crackdown on protesters during last year’s mass uprising.
Police also took former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak into custody. Both were detained at their respective residences in Bhaktapur following a formal complaint by the Home Ministry.
The arrests come just one day after rapper-turned-politician Balendra "Balen" Shah was sworn in as Nepal's youngest Prime Minister, signaling a swift move toward accountability by the new administration.
The charges stem from the "Gen Z" protests in September 2025, which were ignited by a government ban on social media but quickly evolved into a nationwide movement against corruption and economic hardship.
At least 77 people were killed during the unrest.
A high-level inquiry, led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, recommended prosecuting Oli and Lekhak for criminal negligence.
While no direct order to shoot was found, the commission concluded the leaders failed to intervene or control security forces during four hours of continuous firing that claimed the lives of several minors.
The current Home Minister, Sudan Gurung—himself a prominent figure in the September movement—welcomed the move. "No one is above the law," Gurung posted on social media. "This is not about revenge; it is the beginning of justice."
Before his arrest, Oli dismissed the investigation as "politically motivated character assassination." He has vowed to fight the charges legally.
Security has been significantly tightened across the Kathmandu Valley and other major cities to prevent potential unrest from Oli’s supporters. Analysts view the high-profile arrests as a "litmus test" for the Shah administration’s pledge to uphold transparency and the rule of law.
