Nepal’s former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and ex-home minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested on Saturday morning. Authorities linked them to a violent crackdown on protesters in September, according to AFP citing police officials.

Earlier this week, an investigation panel in Nepal recommended legal action against the 74-year-old Oli. The panel said he failed to prevent the use of force during anti-corruption protests.

Kathmandu Valley police spokesperson Om Adhikari confirmed the arrests. He said, "They were arrested this morning, and the process will move forward according to the law."

Arrests Follow Change in Government

The arrests came just a day after Nepal formed a new government. Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his cabinet took oath following the country’s first elections since the 2025 uprising that removed Oli from power.

This political shift appears to have accelerated action against former leaders linked to the unrest.

New Government Promises Justice in Nepal

Nepal’s new home minister Sudan Gurung, who played a key role in the protests, reacted strongly after the arrests. He posted on Instagram that no one is above the law.

“No one is above the law... This is not revenge against anyone, just the beginning of justice. I believe, now the country will take a new direction,” Gurung wrote. Meanwhile, Min Bahadur Shahi, a senior leader from Oli’s party, confirmed to Reuters that the former prime minister was arrested from his residence on Saturday morning.

What Triggered the Arrest?

The arrests are tied to the deadly anti-corruption protests held on September 8 and 9. These protests were led mainly by young people and initially started over a short social media ban. However, they quickly turned into a wider movement against economic hardship and corruption.

At least 77 people died during the unrest. On the first day alone, security forces killed at least 19 young protesters during a crackdown.

The violence spread across the country the next day. Protesters set fire to parliament and several government buildings. This chaos eventually led to the collapse of Oli’s government.

Probe Points to Negligence

A government-backed investigation report examined the events in detail. It recommended prosecuting KP Sharma Oli and other officials.

The report noted that it was "not established that there was an order to shoot". However, it strongly criticised the leadership, stating that "no effort was made to stop or control the firing and, due to their negligent conduct, even minors lost their lives".

This finding became the basis for legal action against the former leadership.