Former Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli Arrested Over Deadly Gen Z Protest Crackdown

Nepal Police detained former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli early Saturday from his residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, in connection with the deaths of dozens of protesters during violent anti-corruption demonstrations last September.

Oli’s former Home Minister, Ramesh Lekhak, was arrested around the same time from Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur. Both men are now in police custody at the Kathmandu District Police Circle and are expected to be produced in court as investigations proceed.

The arrests come just one day after Balendra Shah, the rapper-engineer-turned-politician and a prominent Gen Z figure, was sworn in as Nepal’s new Prime Minister following recent elections triggered by the unrest.

Probe Links Oli to Protest Deaths
A high-level inquiry commission headed by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki investigated the September 8-9, 2025, protests, which began as anti-corruption rallies but turned deadly. Reports indicate around 76 people were killed, many of them young demonstrators, with thousands injured.

The commission recommended prosecuting Oli and Lekhak for criminal negligence and culpable homicide, citing failure by authorities to prevent excessive force and loss of life during the crackdown. Charges could carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison.

Home Minister Sudan Gurung announced the move on social media, stating: “No one is above the law. We have taken former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak under control.” He described the arrests as the beginning of accountability.

Oli’s Response and Medical Check
Oli, 74, who has a history of health issues including kidney transplants, was taken for a medical examination after his detention and was seen gesturing to media while in custody. He has called the action “vindictive” and vowed to fight it legally.

Security was heavily deployed around his residence during the operation.