Nepal Police Detain Former PM KP Sharma Oli Amid Gen Z Protests Investigation

In a significant political development, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and ex-home minister Ramesh Lekhak have been arrested by Nepal Police in connection with a culpable homicide case related to last year's Gen Z protests. This comes shortly after Balendra Shah was sworn in as the new Prime Minister, who has pledged to implement the findings of a high-level commission investigating the protests. The commission's recommendations include potential prison sentences for high-ranking officials, highlighting the ongoing political instability in Nepal. Read on to discover more about the implications of these arrests and the government's response.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 28, 2026, 07:09 IST

Arrests Linked to Gen Z Protests

The Nepal Police have apprehended former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli along with Ramesh Lekhak, a leader from the Nepali Congress and former home minister. Their arrests are tied to a culpable homicide case associated with the alleged suppression of the Gen Z protests that occurred last year, as reported by local media.

Oli was taken into custody at his home in Gundu, Bhaktapur, on Saturday morning, while Lekhak was arrested earlier that day around 5 AM at his residence in Suryabinayak, according to his personal secretary, Janak Bhatta.

This development follows the recent swearing-in of Balendra Shah as Nepal's new Prime Minister. During his inaugural cabinet meeting, Shah announced the immediate implementation of the findings from a high-level commission that investigated the Gen Z protests from September of the previous year.

After the cabinet meeting, spokesperson Pokharel informed the press that the cabinet had resolved to act on the recommendations of the probe commission regarding the Gen Z movement. The commission has suggested that officials, including former Prime Minister Oli and Home Minister Lekhak, face up to 10 years in prison for their negligence during the protests.

Pokharel stated that a study team would be established to address the recommendations concerning security officials, while immediate actions would be taken against others as advised. The commission also called for actions against several high-ranking officials, including the former Inspector General of Nepal Police, Chandra Kuber Khapung. The previous government, led by Sushila Karki, had decided to archive the commission's report in the federal parliament's library.