CPN-UML Denounces Arrest of KP Sharma Oli and Ramesh Lekhak as Illegal Political Vendetta

UML leaders call the arrest of KP Sharma Oli a political vendetta. Discover the party's plan for a judicial probe and nationwide protests in Nepal.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 6:42 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Kathmandu Post

The Emergency Mobilization Against High Profile Detentions

The CPN-UML has formally called for the unconditional release of party chair KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress figure Ramesh Lekhak, labeling their recent arrests as a calculated act of political hostility. Following an urgent Secretariat meeting convened immediately after the news broke, the party issued a stern condemnation of the state’s actions. General Secretary Shankar Pokharel stated that the detentions, which reportedly occurred before sunrise, represent a significant departure from established legal protocols and the rule of law.

Allegations of Systematic Judicial Harassment

According to Shankar Pokharel, the timing and manner of the arrests suggest a motivated campaign rather than a standard legal procedure. The party leadership maintains that the detention of a former prime minister and a former home minister without transparent justification undermines the foundational principles of Nepalese democracy. By framing the incident as a political vendetta, the UML is positioning the current administration’s move as an attempt to stifle opposition voices through the misuse of state machinery and law enforcement agencies.

Demands for Independent Judicial Oversight

In response to the perceived bias of the current investigation, the UML Secretariat has proposed the establishment of a high-level commission of inquiry. The party insists that this body must be chaired by a sitting justice of the Supreme Court to ensure an impartial and credible review of the allegations. This demand highlights a deep seated mistrust in the executive branch’s handling of the case, as the party seeks to shift the narrative from criminal proceedings to a question of constitutional integrity and judicial independence.