Post by : Shakul

Nepal’s former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli was arrested on March 28, 2026, in connection with a culpable homicide case tied to the violent suppression of the September 2025 “Gen Z” protests, according to multiple news agencies.

Oli, 74, and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were taken into custody early Saturday from their residences in Bhaktapur following recommendations from a high‑level investigative panel that probed the protest violence.

The arrests followed the swearing‑in of the new Prime Minister, Balendra “Balen” Shah, a rapper‑turned‑politician whose Rastriya Swatantra Party won a decisive victory in the March 5, 2026 general election.

The September 2025 protests, widely described as a youth‑led uprising against corruption, governance failures, and restrictions on digital freedoms, escalated into nationwide unrest and were met with a heavy state response. Official counts report that at least 76–77 people were killed and thousands injured during the clashes.

The investigative panel concluded that Oli failed to prevent security forces from firing on demonstrators, particularly during the initial hours of the protests, leading to a high number of fatalities. Prosecutors may seek charges under provisions that carry sentences of up to 10 years in prison if convictions are secured.

Oli has publicly rejected the investigation’s findings as politically motivated and defamatory. His arrest marks a significant moment in Nepal’s ongoing efforts to address accountability for one of the country’s most turbulent episodes in recent political history.

#Global News #Asia News #Politics