Former Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli — a central figure in the country’s recent political upheaval — was arrested today in connection with last year’s deadly youth‑led protests that shook Nepal and forced his resignation, authorities confirmed. His former Home Minister, Ramesh Lekhak, was also taken into custody as part of the same investigation.

The arrests follow a formal complaint and investigative process launched by Nepal’s Home Ministry earlier this year into the 2025 “Gen Z” protests, a massive anti‑corruption movement that erupted in September and escalated into widespread unrest. The crackdown on the demonstrations, which at times turned violent, resulted in at least 76 deaths and thousands of injuries, drawing intense scrutiny of the former government’s handling of the crisis.

A government‑appointed investigative panel last week recommended criminal prosecution against Oli and senior officials for alleged negligence and failure to protect citizens during the protests. The panel’s findings, released amid a broader political transition, have become central to the ongoing legal actions. Oli, 74, has publicly rejected the allegations, describing his arrest as “vindictive”.

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The Gen Z protests initially began as demonstrations against government corruption and a controversial ban on major social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, which sparked anger among young Nepalis. As rallies grew in size across the country, clashes with security forces intensified, ultimately overwhelming law enforcement and prompting national emergency measures.

Political turmoil linked to the unrest contributed directly to Oli’s resignation in September 2025. An interim government oversaw the lead‑up to this March’s elections, which brought Balendra “Balen” Shah, a rapper‑turned‑politician, to power in a landslide victory. Shah’s administration swiftly moved to pursue accountability for the protest violence as part of its broader reform agenda.

Oli’s detention marks a rare instance in Nepalese politics of a former head of government facing legal jeopardy tied to state responses to mass protests. Legal experts note that while the investigative panel’s recommendations carry weight, formal charges and judicial proceedings will determine whether Oli and others face prison terms or acquittal under Nepalese law. Victims’ families and civil rights groups have welcomed the arrests as a step toward justice, though political divisions remain deep within the fractured national landscape.

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