The Nepal High Court has ordered the release of former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. Oli was arrested by Nepal Police from his residence in Bhaktapur in connection with an alleged culpable homicide case tied to the crackdown on the September 2025 Gen Z-led anti-corruption protests.
During the protests, a total of 77 people lost their lives, while large-scale damage was reported to both government and private property, running into billions.
Nepali Congress leader and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak was also arrested earlier from his residence as part of the same case. The action followed a formal complaint filed by the Home Ministry, which set off an investigation and led to the issuance of arrest warrants.
According to a report by the Kathmandu Post, police officials said the arrests were carried out in line with recommendations made by a commission headed by former Special Court judge Gauri Bahadur Karki. The panel examined the handling of the protests and suggested legal action against several senior officials.
The commission recommended that former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, Lekhak, and then Inspector General of Police Chandra Kuber Khapung be charged under Sections 181 and 182 of the National Penal Code for criminal negligence. The suggested punishment under these sections could extend up to 10 years in prison.
