NewsFlash Daily™
28 March 
Ex-Prime Minister held over 77 protest deaths as new PM Balen Shah assumes office; government calls it “beginning of justice, not revenge”
Kathmandu: Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been arrested just a day after Balen Shah assumed office as Nepal’s new Prime Minister, sending shockwaves across the nation’s political landscape.
The arrest is linked to violent anti-corruption protests held last year, during which at least 77 people lost their lives. Authorities allege that Oli failed to prevent the violence and allowed excessive force against demonstrators.
Arrest Linked to ‘Gen Z’ Anti-Corruption Protests
According to officials, the crackdown relates to the so-called ‘Gen Z’ protests, where large-scale demonstrations erupted against corruption. Investigators concluded that the government at the time failed to control escalating violence and protect civilians.
Along with Oli, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has also been taken into custody, police spokesperson Om Adhikari confirmed.
Probe Panel Recommendation Triggers Action
The arrests follow recommendations from an inquiry committee led by former Special Court judge Gauri Bahadur Karki. The panel’s report highlighted uncontrolled use of force against protesters and administrative failure to prevent fatalities.
The report further stated that the handling of protests directly contributed to the deaths, prompting legal action against top officials of the previous regime.
Government: “No One Above Law”
Reacting to the development, newly appointed Home Minister Sudan Gurung said in a Facebook post,
“We have acted as promised. No one is above the law. This is not an act of revenge, but the beginning of justice.”
The government has also indicated that the September 8 crackdown on protesters will be treated as a case of homicide, intensifying the seriousness of the charges.
Political Turning Point in Nepal
The timing of the arrest immediately after Balen Shah’s swearing-in is being viewed as a major shift in Nepal’s political accountability landscape. The move signals a strong stance by the new administration on corruption and misuse of power, though it is also likely to trigger political tensions.
