Former Nepal Prime Minister Arrested Amid Deadly Protest Crackdown

Sat Mar 28 2026 16:21:19 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

KP Sharma Oli, the former Prime Minister of Nepal, has been arrested following allegations of negligence leading to a violent crackdown on protests last year that resulted in over 70 deaths.

KP Sharma Oli, Nepal's ex-Prime Minister, has been arrested for his alleged role in a deadly police crackdown on protests last year, which left over 70 people dead. He has been hospitalized but denies wrongdoing. The arrests come as the new government calls for accountability amidst ongoing protests from his supporters.

Former Nepal Prime Minister Arrested Amid Deadly Protest Crackdown

KP Sharma Oli, the former Prime Minister of Nepal, has been taken to hospital following his arrest over his alleged involvement in a deadly crackdown on protests last year. Officials reported that Oli was admitted to a clinic in Kathmandu as part of routine police procedure immediately after his arrest at his home early on Saturday morning.

During the uprising that occurred in September, more than 70 individuals lost their lives, many of them protesters who were shot by police. The protests were initially sparked by a ban on social media but were later fueled by widespread anger over corruption and challenging economic conditions.

In addition to Oli, former home minister Ramesh Lekhak was also arrested after a panel investigating the unrest recommended prosecution for criminal negligence. Oli, who is 74 years old and has a history of health issues including two kidney transplants, was hospitalized pending medical tests.

The arrests follow the swearing-in of Nepal's new prime minister, Balen Shah, a former rapper, marking a significant change in the nation's political landscape. Police spokesman Om Adhikari stated that the legal process would proceed following the arrests, although neither Oli nor Lekhak has been formally charged at this time.

Oli has publicly denied the commission's findings and deemed the recommendations as attacks on his character. His lawyers argue that his detention is unjustified and illegal, claiming there is no threat of him fleeing or evading questions from investigators. In response, supporters of Oli's party, the CPN-UML, have initiated protests in Kathmandu, while the new Home Minister has emphasized the importance of accountability.

The unrest surrounding the crackdown, which saw many younger citizens protesting against government misconduct, has led to calls from families of the deceased for accountability, as they mourn the loss of their loved ones. The recent political shifts follow a tumultuous previous government that faced significant public outrage over its handling of various crises.