Kathmandu, March 28
Chairman of the CPN-UML and former prime minister K. P. Sharma Oli, along with former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, were arrested on Saturday morning.
Police detained Oli and Lekhak for investigation on charges related to the deaths of 19 people during the Gen Z protest on September 8. They have been charged with “causing death through negligence.”
A probe report made public three days ago by the Gen Z Protest Investigation Commission concluded that the deaths occurred due to their negligence.
The report stated that provisions of the Muluki Criminal Code could be applied against Oli, Lekhak, former Inspector General of Police Chandra Kuber Khapung, and others.
Citing Sections 281, 282, and 283 of the Muluki Criminal Code, police carried out the arrests. These provisions define causing death through negligence as a punishable offence, carrying a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs. 30,000.
Within hours of taking the oath, the Cabinet, led by newly appointed Prime Minister Balen Shah, decided to implement the investigation report submitted by the commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki, except in cases involving security personnel.
Oli was arrested at his residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, while Lekhak was detained at his residence in Katunje, Bhaktapur. Hundreds of security personnel were deployed during the arrests.
Following the arrests, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung said that no one is above the law.
“PROMISE IS A PROMISE: No one is above the law. We have taken former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak into custody,” he wrote on social media. “This is not retaliation against anyone, but simply the beginning of justice.”
He added that the country would now move in a new direction.
Responding to the arrest, Oli said it was an act of revenge. After police arrived with an arrest warrant, he consulted with his lawyers.
“This arrest is retaliatory. I will fight it legally, prepare yourselves,” Oli told his lawyers.
He consulted former Attorney General Ramesh Badal and senior advocate Tikaram Bhattarai.
Senior advocate Bhattarai, who was present during the consultation, said the arrest was unlawful.
“There is no legal basis for this arrest; at first glance, it is wrong,” Bhattarai told Onlinekhabar.
Meanwhile, the CPN-UML has begun preparations for protests. Party secretary Mahesh Basnet has called on supporters to participate in demonstrations starting today.
“To protect the country from retaliatory politics and defend democratic values and norms, let us participate in the protests starting today,” he wrote on social media. “Detailed information will be provided after the Secretariat meeting scheduled for 8:30 AM.”
