Nepal Court Orders Detaintion of Oli and Lekhak for 5 days investigation : Oli under medical supervision

KalimNews, Kathmandu, March 30, 2026 : In a major political development, the Kathmandu District Court has granted permission to detain former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak for five days for investigation purposes.

Both leaders were arrested on Saturday from Katunje and Gundu and presented before the court on Sunday. While Lekhak appeared physically, Oli attended the hearing virtually from Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.

The government has filed homicide-related charges against them, linking their alleged involvement to the deaths that occurred during the Gen Z protests held on September 8 and 9, 2025. Based on these charges, authorities sought custody for further investigation.

According to court information officer Dipak Kumar Shrestha, the bench led by Judge Ananda Prasad Shrestha approved the five-day remand under Section 14(6) of the National Criminal Procedure Code 2017. The court emphasized the need to record statements, collect witness testimonies, and analyze the report of the investigation commission formed to probe the incidents of Bhadra 23 and 24 (September 2025).

Oli’s health condition remains a matter of concern. He was admitted to the hospital after experiencing irregular heart palpitations. His medical history includes two kidney transplants, and he is currently suffering from multiple conditions such as hydronephrosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid-related complications, and atrial fibrillation. Doctors have also detected gallstones.

Hospital authorities confirmed that he is under continuous medical supervision at Annex-1, bed number 501. Taking note of his condition, the court has directed the government to ensure proper and effective medical treatment during his custody.

The arrests follow the implementation of recommendations made by an investigation commission led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki. The commission had suggested investigation and prosecution under Sections 181 and 182 of the National Criminal Code 2017.

These sections deal with offenses related to causing death through negligence or recklessness. Convictions under these provisions may result in imprisonment ranging from three to ten years, along with financial penalties.

Under Nepal’s criminal procedure law, authorities can detain suspects for up to 25 days in homicide-related investigations with court approval. Within this period, a formal case must be filed in court.

Following Oli’s arrest, his party, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) (CPN-UML), formally protested and announced plans to challenge the move through the streets, parliament, and courts.

However, the party’s street protests have seen limited participation from leaders and cadres. Despite announcing nationwide demonstrations and submitting memorandums through district administration offices, turnout remained notably low across districts.

This subdued response reflects internal divisions within the party. While a hardline faction has taken an aggressive stance, another group—long considered marginalized—has responded more cautiously.

Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, who leads one faction within the party, issued a statement criticizing the government’s decision as immature and called for reconsideration.

Similarly, former Vice Chairman Surendra Pandey expressed concern via social media, stating that pushing party workers into street confrontations would not benefit anyone. His remarks were interpreted as a lack of support for the protests.

The party also attempted to bring the Nepali Congress into the आंदोलन (movement), mentioning collaboration in official statements and memorandums. However, while a faction of the party participated locally in Kanchanpur, broader nationwide support was not forthcoming.

This inconsistency—mobilizing for one leader while not for another—has contributed to confusion and division among party supporters.

In Bhairahawa, the Rupandehi district unit of CPN-UML staged a protest outside the District Administration Office. Party leaders and cadres submitted a memorandum to the Chief District Officer, raising slogans and strongly opposing the arrests.

The party described the arrests as “revengeful, biased, and unlawful,” claiming they undermine democratic values and the rule of law. Leaders also warned that such actions could push the country toward conflict.

Speakers at the protest demanded an impartial investigation into the incidents of Bhadra 23 and 24 and called for the rejection of the commission’s report, alleging bias. They also urged authorities to investigate all acts of vandalism, arson, and looting during the protests and to examine the role of certain non-governmental organizations.

The protest remained peaceful, although the atmosphere grew tense for a short period due to slogan chanting.\Following the arrests, habeas corpus petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court by Oli’s wife, Radhika Shakya, and Lekhak’s wife, Yashoda Lekhak. A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for Monday.

As the investigation unfolds, Nepal’s political landscape remains tense, with legal, health, and party dynamics all playing critical roles in shaping the outcome of this high-profile case.