Nepal police have arrested former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak over their alleged role in the deaths of protesters during violent demonstrations last year.
According to reports, the two were taken into custody on Saturday following an investigation into deadly anti-corruption protests in September 2025 that left at least 76 people dead and more than 2,000 injured. Authorities allege the crackdown by security forces during the protests contributed to the fatalities.
Police arrested the former leaders at their residences after a government-appointed commission recommended legal action. Former Home Minister Lekhak has been accused of ordering security forces to fire on protesters, while Oli is being investigated for alleged negligence in preventing the violence.
The arrests come just a day after Balendra Shah, who rose to power following public anger over the protest deaths, was sworn in as Nepal’s new Prime Minister after a landslide election victory.
The 2025 protests, led largely by youth groups demanding action against corruption and unemployment, triggered a major political upheaval in Nepal and eventually led to the fall of the previous government and fresh elections.
The arrests are being seen as one of the most significant political developments in Nepal in recent years, as the new government moves to investigate accountability for the deadly unrest. (Newswire)