Kathmandu – Newly elected government of Nepal has arrested former Prime Minister K P Sharma Olu and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak for their role in  alleged suppression of the  Gen Z protests in the Nepalese capital last year.

Oli was taken into custody from his residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, on early Saturday morning. Lekhak was arrested earlier the same morning from his residence in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur, around 5am, reports said.

The arrests follow after the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah said they will implement key recommendations made by an investigation commission led by former Judge Gauri Bahadur Karki.

At least 19 youth protesters were killed when police opened fire as they were trying to enter the parliament premises on September 8, 2025. Nearly 60 others were killed in the nationwide arson and violence the following day. 

Minister for Home, Sudan Gurung, said that the arrests of former Prime Minister Oli and former Home Minister  Lekhak were not an act of revenge, but the beginning of (delivery of) justice.

On social media, he wrote, “A commitment is a commitment. No one is above the law. We have taken former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak into custody. This is not revenge against anyone, but the beginning of justice. I believe the country will now move in a new direction.”

UML calls nationwide protests

Meanwhile, Communist Party of Nepal (UML) has called nationwide protests on Saturday against what they called ‘arbitrary’ arrest of former PM and party President Oli. 

An emergency Secretariat meeting of the CPN UML said Mr Oli and Mr Lekhak have been arrested in violation of democratic values and rule of law. The party has also demanded their immediate release.

Former Attorney General, Ramesh Badal, claimed that arrest of Mr Oli and Mr Lekhak was an outcome of ‘geo-political interests.’ He did not elaborate.