Former Nepali Prime Minister Oli Arrested Over Deadly Protest Crackdown

Kathmandu, Nepal – Former Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and ex-Home Affairs Minister Ramesh Lekhak were detained on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in connection with their alleged roles in a deadly crackdown on anti-corruption protests that occurred last year.

High-Profile Arrests Mark New Political Era

The detentions come swiftly after Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his new cabinet were sworn in, following parliamentary elections that saw a significant shift in Nepal's political landscape. Kathmandu Valley police spokesman Om Adhikari confirmed the arrests, stating, "They were arrested this morning and the process will move forward according to the law."

Oli, 74, was taken into custody from his residence in Bhaktapur, a suburb of Kathmandu, and was later seen entering a hospital. Lekhak was also detained from another area of Bhaktapur on the same day.

New Home Minister Vows Justice

Sudan Gurung, Nepal's newly appointed Home Minister, commented on the arrests via social media. "Promise is a promise: No one is above the law," Gurung wrote. He added, "This is not vengeance against anyone, it is simply the beginning of justice. I believe the country is now headed in a new direction." Oli has not yet issued a statement regarding his arrest.

Background to the 2025 Uprising

The arrests relate to an anti-corruption uprising that swept Nepal on September 8-9, 2025. The protests, initially sparked by a brief social media ban, quickly escalated due to widespread frustration over economic hardship. The crackdown on these demonstrations resulted in the deaths of at least 77 people, with 19 young individuals killed on the first day alone.

The widespread unrest led to the burning of parliament and government offices, ultimately causing the collapse of Oli's government.

Investigative Commission's Findings and Oli's Defense

During the subsequent caretaker administration, a government-backed commission investigated the deadly uprising. Its report recommended the prosecution of Oli and other senior officials, noting that while it was "not established that there was an order to shoot," "no effort was made to stop or control the firing and, due to their negligent conduct, even minors lost their lives."

Oli has consistently denied ordering security forces to open fire on protesters, instead attributing the violence to "infiltrators" during his unsuccessful re-election campaign on March 5.

Shah Government Prioritises Accountability

Prime Minister Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician, and his Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured a landslide victory in the recent parliamentary elections. Shah, who defeated Oli in the former prime minister's own constituency, campaigned on a platform of youth-driven political change.

At its first cabinet meeting on Friday, the new government made a critical decision to implement the recommendations put forth by the investigative commission, signaling a strong commitment to addressing the past injustices.

The arrest of a former Prime Minister in Nepal marks a significant moment for accountability and the rule of law in the country. It underscores the new government's dedication to fulfilling its electoral promise of addressing corruption and past grievances, potentially reshaping public trust in political institutions.

Key Takeaways

  • Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and ex-Home Affairs Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested on March 28, 2026.
  • The arrests are linked to a deadly crackdown on anti-corruption protests in September 2025, which claimed at least 77 lives.
  • The new government, led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, swiftly moved to implement an investigative commission's recommendations for prosecution.
  • New Home Minister Sudan Gurung declared the arrests a "beginning of justice," emphasizing no one is above the law.
  • Oli's government collapsed after the 2025 protests, and he has previously denied responsibility for the violence.