In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nepal’s political landscape, police arrested former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak early Saturday morning. The arrests come less than 24 hours after the youngest Prime Minister in Nepal’s history, Balendra (Balen) Shah, was sworn into office.
The Crackdown on “Criminal Negligence”
The arrests are the direct result of the Gauri Bahadur Karki Commission report, which investigated the violent suppression of the September 2025 Gen Z-led uprising. That movement, sparked by a social media ban and widespread frustration over corruption, resulted in the deaths of 77 protesters.
• KP Sharma Oli: Detained at his residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur. Due to his age (74) and health history, he was reportedly taken to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) for medical evaluation while in custody.
• Ramesh Lekhak: Arrested around 5:00 AM from his home in Suryabinayak.
• The Charges: Both leaders, along with former IGP Chandra Kuber Khapung, face charges under Sections 181 and 182 of the National Penal Code for criminal negligence and recklessness. The report highlights a failure to stop police from using lethal force during the protests.