Police resort to lathi cost to disperse the supporters of former Nepal Prime Minister Okay.P. Sharma Oli protesting towards his arrest, in Kathmandu on March 29, 2026.
| Picture Credit score: ANI
Lots of of Nepalis on Monday (March 30, 2026) demanded the discharge of former Prime Minister Okay.P. Sharma Oli, arrested for his alleged position in a lethal crackdown on 2025 protests that ousted him.
Mr. Oli, 74, and former Dwelling Minister Ramesh Lekhak have been arrested in pre-dawn raids on Saturday (March 28, 2026), a day after Prime Minister Balendra Shah was sworn in following the primary elections for the reason that September rebellion.
Heavy police deployments on Monday (March 30, 2026) barred the protests as they neared the charred previous Parliament constructing, set on hearth within the September violence through which at the very least 76 folks have been killed.
The arrests of Mr. Oli and Mr. Lekhak got here after an inquiry fee beneficial that the four-time former Prime Minister and different officers be prosecuted for failing to cease safety forces from opening hearth on demonstrators. “Launch Okay.P. Oli,” round 300 protesters chanted. “Scrap the fee report.”
Mr. Oli, who has well being points, appeared in courtroom through video-link from hospital on Sunday (March 29, 2026), the place an order was given to increase his detention for 5 days.
The 2 males have been arrested over their alleged involvement within the protest crackdown. Neither has been charged, and each deny duty for the violence. Attorneys for Mr. Oli have submitted a petition to the Supreme Courtroom for his launch.
The fee report stated statements given by Mr. Oli and Mr. Lekhak, claiming ignorance of the violence, have been an try to shift duty and amounted to “legal negligence”.
It beneficial that they be investigated underneath a legislation that offers with dying attributable to recklessness. “Former Power Minister Deepak Khadka was additionally detained on Sunday (March 29, 2026) in a money-laundering investigation,” police stated.
The unrest in September 2025 started over a quick social media ban, however tapped into longstanding fury over financial hardship. It unfold nationwide the next day as Parliament and authorities places of work have been set ablaze, ensuing within the collapse of Mr. Oli’s authorities.
Revealed – March 30, 2026 04:07 pm IST