Former Nepali Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested in connection with the deadly September protests, as authorities press a case built on a government-commissioned report.

Officials say investigations and legal proceedings will proceed under the law, signaling an ongoing accountability drive and institutional reform.

A government-commissioned inquiry found leadership negligence in failing to prevent or control the violence, while noting there was no direct order to open fire and that authorities did not attempt to stop the firing.

The new administration under Prime Minister Balendra Shah moved swiftly to implement the commission’s recommendations, framing the arrests as upholding the rule of law and accountability rather than revenge.

Shah’s government has made anti-impunity a central priority, with the interior minister declaring no one is above the law and signaling a new direction for justice in Nepal.

The protests began over social media restrictions and broader grievances about economic hardship and governance, evolving into a nationwide movement that pressured the government.

Media coverage from major outlets and social media posts by officials are part of the ongoing reporting surrounding the arrests and investigations.

The arrests follow a March 2025 commission report that recommended prosecuting Oli, Lekhak, and a former police chief for criminal negligence in the crackdown.

Context and commentary on Nepal’s political landscape note upcoming changes after elections and the broader shift toward a new generation of leadership.

Sudan Gurung, the new interior minister, reiterated that no one is above the law and publicly confirmed the arrests as part of pursuing justice.

Police confirmed the arrests and that the legal process will be carried out in accordance with the law, reinforcing the administration’s accountability stance.