The ongoing judicial sweep into past government actions intensified today as police arrested former Kathmandu Chief District Officer (CDO) Chhabilal Rijal. Officers took Rijal into custody this morning from his private residence in Subidhanagar, marking another high-profile arrest in the investigation into the “September 2025 Gen Z Movement.”
Rijal’s arrest is seen as a pivotal step in the Balen Shah government’s commitment to accountability, as the CDO is the primary authority responsible for law and order and the authorization of force within the capital.
The Allegations: Accountability for 76 Lives
The core of the investigation against Rijal centers on his command during the massive youth-led uprising in September 2025.
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Command Responsibility: As the then-CDO of Kathmandu, Rijal is accused of issuing the “shoot-on-sight” orders and authorizing the use of excessive lethal force to disperse protesters.
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The Toll: The crackdown resulted in the deaths of 76 individuals, many of whom were students and young activists.
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Abuse of Authority: Investigators are looking into whether Rijal bypassed standard de-escalation protocols and acted under direct, extra-legal political pressure rather than administrative necessity.
Broader Context: A Widening Net
The arrest of Rijal is not an isolated event but part of a systematic dismantling of the previous administration’s security and political apparatus.
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Political Heavyweights: This follows the high-stakes detentions of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. Both leaders remain in judicial custody as the state builds its case regarding the policy-level decisions that led to the violence.
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Supreme Court Ruling: The judiciary has signaled its support for the ongoing investigation. Yesterday, the Supreme Court refused to grant interim relief to Mr. Oli, dismissing a petition for his release and affirming that the legal process regarding the 2025 events must proceed.
Political and Social Reaction
While human rights organizations and victim advocacy groups have hailed the arrest as a “victory for justice,” the move has predictably polarized the political landscape.
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The Opposition: Supporters of the CPN-UML and Nepali Congress have characterized the arrests as “political vendetta” orchestrated by the new administration.
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The Administration: Government spokespersons maintain that these actions are strictly legal and based on the findings of preliminary inquiry commissions tasked with investigating the 76 deaths.
As Chhabilal Rijal is transported to the District Police Range for questioning, the nation remains on high alert. With the Budget Session of Parliament set to begin on April 2, these arrests are expected to dominate the legislative agenda, setting the stage for a heated confrontation between the new guard and the old political establishment.