Kathmandu, March 28, 2026 — Former Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been taken into custody by police over his alleged involvement in the deadly Gen Z protests that rocked the nation last year. The arrest occurred a day after Balendra Shah was sworn in as Nepal’s new Prime Minister.
Oli was detained at his residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, by Nepalese authorities. Along with Oli, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak was also reportedly arrested in connection with the protests. Kathmandu Valley police spokesperson Om Adhikari confirmed the arrests, stating, “They were arrested this morning, and the process will move forward according to the law,” as reported by AFP.
Following the arrests, Nepal’s newly appointed Minister of Home Affairs, Sudan Gurung, issued a statement emphasizing the rule of law: “A promise is a promise, and no one is above the law. We have taken former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and outgoing Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak under control. This is not revenge; it is the beginning of justice. I believe the country will now move in a new direction,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Oli, however, accused authorities of political vendetta, asserting, “I have been arrested vindictively. I will fight the legal battle,” he told the media.
The protests, which erupted on September 8 and 9 last year, resulted in over 70 deaths, including at least 19 young people. Sparked initially by a social media ban, the unrest tapped into widespread frustration over economic hardships. The protests escalated nationwide, with government and parliament buildings set ablaze, leading to the collapse of Oli’s government.
During this period, Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, Sushila Karki, briefly led the interim government before Balendra Shah’s election as Prime Minister. Shah’s government has now launched investigations into the violence, with a high-level commission recommending up to 10 years of imprisonment for those responsible, including Oli and Lekhak, for negligence during the protests.
While the report stated that there was no evidence of an order to shoot, it criticized officials for failing to control the situation, which resulted in fatalities, including minors. The commission also recommended action against other senior officials, including former Inspector General of Nepal Police, Chandra Kuber Khapung.
