Nepal Authorities Arrest Former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli Following Fatal September Anti-Government Protests

Former Nepal PM Khadga Prasad Oli was arrested in Kathmandu on charges related to the deaths of 76 protesters during the violent 2025 uprisings.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 8:22 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from ABC News

High Profile Arrests Signal Shift in Nepalese Governance

The political landscape of Nepal underwent a seismic shift early Saturday morning as elite police units took former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli into custody. The arrest, conducted at Oli’s residence on the perimeter of Kathmandu, follows months of investigation into the state’s response to the "Gen Z" led uprisings of late 2025. Alongside the former premier, authorities apprehended Ramesh Lekhak, the previous home minister. Current Home Minister Sudan Gurung characterized the operation as a foundational step toward justice rather than a political vendetta, emphasizing that the rule of law must apply to even the highest ranking officials.

Accountability for the September Uprisings

The legal basis for the arrests stems from a government-mandated commission that scrutinized the events of September 8 and 9. During those two days, massive protests against corruption and administrative failure resulted in the deaths of 76 individuals and left more than 2,300 others wounded. The commission’s findings specifically accused Lekhak of authorizing the use of lethal force against demonstrators. Consequently, the investigative body has recommended prison sentences of up to ten years for Oli, Lekhak, and the police chief who presided over the department during the period of civil unrest.

A New Administration Anchored in Judicial Reform

This wave of arrests occurred within 24 hours of the inauguration of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, a former rapper who led the Rastriya Swatantra Party to a landslide electoral victory. Shah’s rise to power was fueled by a platform of radical transparency and accountability for the casualties sustained during the transition. The newly formed cabinet appears determined to fulfill campaign promises regarding the prosecution of former leaders held responsible for the violent suppression of dissent. Gurung’s public announcement of the detentions underscored that the new government views these legal actions as a mandatory prerequisite for national healing.