Former Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli Detained in Probe
Kathmandu: In a dramatic turn the day after rapper-turned-politician Balen Shah was sworn in as Nepal’s new Prime Minister, authorities arrested former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli early Saturday in connection with the violent suppression of last year’s youth-led protests.
Oli, whose full name is Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were taken into custody from their residences in Bhaktapur. Both face a culpable homicide case stemming from the state’s crackdown during the September 2025 “Gen Z” demonstrations that ultimately forced Oli from office.
The arrests follow recommendations by a high-level commission set up to investigate the violence. The panel held the four-time prime minister, who leads the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), accountable for failing to prevent security forces from opening fire on protesters. At least 19 Gen Z demonstrators were killed on the first day of the unrest, according to the report.
Nepal witnessed widespread youth-driven protests in September 2025, triggered by deep public frustration over governance failures, corruption, unemployment and prolonged political instability under Oli’s leadership. What started as demands for greater digital freedom quickly grew into a broader anti-establishment movement. The government’s response triggered fierce clashes, resulting in at least 76 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries overall.
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The commission’s report stated that as the executive head, Oli bore responsibility “for anything, good or bad” that occurred. It also recommended action against then-police chief Chandra Kuber Khapung and several other officials. If convicted on the charges, Oli, Lekhak and others could face prison terms of up to 10 years.
Oli has rejected the commission’s findings. He described the report as “extremely negligent,” amounting to “character assassination” and reflecting “hate politics,” according to comments quoted by the Annapurna Post daily.
The development comes barely 24 hours after Balen Shah, leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), took oath as the country’s youngest Prime Minister on March 27. Shah had earlier dealt Oli a significant electoral setback in the March 5 general elections, defeating the veteran communist leader in the Jhapa-5 constituency—a traditional stronghold of Oli’s party.
The arrests mark a swift accountability move by the new administration amid ongoing public demands for justice over the handling of the 2025 protests, which were widely dubbed the “Gen Z revolution.”