Nepal’s political landscape shook on March 28, 2026, as former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and ex-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak faced arrest over their roles in the violent suppression of Gen-Z protests last year. Police acted swiftly to enforce recommendations from an independent probe commission, marking a historic first for detaining an ex-PM in such a case. The move by new Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s government has sparked cries of political revenge from Oli’s supporters.
What Sparked the Gen-Z Uprising?
The protests ignited on September 8, 2025, in Kathmandu, when young Nepalis rallied against a government ban on 26 social media platforms. Many saw the restriction as blatant censorship amid rising frustration over corruption, economic hardship, and youth unemployment. What began as peaceful marches by students and Gen-Z activists near parliament quickly escalated.
Security forces responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds, leading to chaos. At least 19 people died that day alone, with the total toll reaching 76 amid widespread arson on government buildings. It became Nepal’s bloodiest protest day in its democratic history, forcing Oli’s resignation and paving the way for fresh elections.
Flames engulfed key sites like the Singha Durbar administrative complex, symbolizing public fury against the establishment.
Probe Findings Lead to Action
A commission led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki investigated the unrest. Its report, recently endorsed by Shah’s cabinet, blamed Oli and Lekhak for negligence in handling the crisis. It recommended criminal charges under laws covering failure to prevent violence, targeting them and several police chiefs.
Just a day after Shah—a rapper-turned-politician—took office following 2026 elections, authorities raided Oli’s residence in Bhaktapur. Both leaders were detained without immediate bail, as police cited the need to uphold the commission’s directives.
Backlash from Oli’s Camp
Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) hit back hard. Party leaders called the arrests “baseless vendettas” and convened an emergency meeting to rally support. They vowed street protests, accusing Shah’s administration of weaponizing the probe for power consolidation.
This development underscores Nepal’s fragile politics, where youth-led movements have reshaped leadership. As Oli’s allies mobilize, questions linger: Will justice prevail, or is this score-settling in a divided nation?
