Former Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli and Ex-Home Minister Arrested Over Deadly Gen Z Protests

KalimNews, March 28, 2026, Kathmandu, Nepal : Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his ex-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested early Saturday over their alleged roles in last year’s deadly Gen Z anti-corruption protests, which left at least 77 people dead. The arrests came a day after Balendra Shah was sworn in as Nepal’s new prime minister following the first general elections since the 2025 uprising.

Authorities detained Oli at his residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, and took Lekhak into custody soon after. Kathmandu Valley police spokesman Om Adhikari confirmed, “They were arrested this morning, and the process will move forward according to the law.”

The unrest erupted on September 8 and 9, 2025, initially triggered by a brief government ban on social media platforms. What began as a digital protest quickly escalated into a nationwide youth-led movement against corruption and economic mismanagement, fueled by long-standing frustrations over unemployment and government negligence.

During the two days of violent demonstrations, at least 77 people lost their lives, including 19 young protesters on the first day alone. Protesters set fire to government offices and the parliament building, ultimately leading to the collapse of Oli’s government.

Following the resignation of Oli, Nepal’s first female interim prime minister, Sushila Karki, a retired Supreme Court judge, temporarily led the nation, helping stabilize the fragile democratic transition until the March elections that brought Shah to power.

A government-commissioned investigation recommended prosecution for Oli, Lekhak, and other high-ranking officials, including the then Inspector General of Nepal Police, Chandra Kuber Khapung, citing negligence during the protests.

The report clarified, “It was not established that there was an order to shoot,” but added that “no effort was made to stop or control the firing and, due to their negligent conduct, even minors lost their lives.” The inquiry described the failure to prevent civilian casualties as a serious dereliction of duty by the top leadership.

Newly appointed Home Minister Sudan Gurung, who gained prominence during the protests, welcomed the arrests as a critical step toward justice.

“No one is above the law... This is not revenge against anyone, just the beginning of justice. I believe, now the country will take a new direction,” Gurung wrote on Instagram.

Meanwhile, Oli, 74, who has previously undergone two kidney transplants, criticized the arrest as politically motivated, stating, “I will fight the legal battle,” while his lawyer called the detention “illegal and improper” since there was no risk of him fleeing or avoiding questioning.

The arrests occurred just one day after Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old former structural engineer and rapper-turned-politician, was sworn in as Nepal’s prime minister. Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party won a decisive victory in the March elections, propelled by public anger over the 2025 uprising and promises of reform, transparency, and justice for the victims.

The new government immediately implemented the recommendations of the investigative commission, signaling a commitment to accountability and a departure from past political impunity.

As the nation watches these high-profile arrests, many Nepalese hope they mark a turning point for justice, governance, and the empowerment of young voices in the country’s political landscape.