Nepal’s Ex-PM Oli Arrested Over 2025 Protest Crackdown
New government signals accountability as political transition deepens
Nepal’s former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been arrested over his alleged role in a deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters in September 2025, marking a major development in the country’s shifting political landscape.
Police detained Oli, 74, from his residence in Bhaktapur near Kathmandu. Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak was also taken into custody in connection with the same case. Authorities confirmed that legal proceedings will now move forward.
The arrests come shortly after the newly elected Prime Minister Balen Shah took office following a landslide victory driven by youth-led political change. His government has pledged to act on findings from an তদন্ত commission that examined last year’s violence.
The 2025 uprising, initially triggered by a brief social media ban, escalated into nationwide protests fueled by economic discontent and frustration with governance. At least 77 people were killed, including many young demonstrators, as clashes intensified and government institutions came under attack.
An official inquiry found no clear evidence that security forces were directly ordered to open fire. However, it concluded that authorities failed to control the situation, and negligence contributed to the high death toll.
Responding to the arrests, Home Minister Sudan Gurung stated that the move represents “the beginning of justice” and stressed that no individual is above the law.
Oli has not yet issued a response, though he previously denied responsibility, blaming external “infiltrators” for the violence.
The arrests signal a new phase in Nepal’s politics, as the current leadership pushes for accountability and reform in the wake of last year’s unrest.
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