Nepal's former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and ex-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested on March 28, 2026, in connection with the deadly suppression of youth-led demonstrations in September 2025. The arrests mark the first major action by newly sworn-in Prime Minister Balendra Shah's government to address last year's violence, which claimed dozens of lives during protests against economic policies and governance reforms.
Accountability for Gen Z Protests
The detainments follow Friday's cabinet decision to implement recommendations from a commission investigating the September 8-9, 2025 crackdown. Security forces had reportedly used live ammunition against protesters in Kathmandu, sparking international condemnation. Oli, who leads the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), served as PM from 2018 to 2023 but remained influential in national politics.
Analysts suggest the arrests signal Shah's commitment to reforming Nepal's protest response protocols. The government has pledged compensation for victims' families and vowed to prevent similar crises as the country prepares for local elections later this year.
