World News
Nepal’s Former PM KP Sharma Oli Arrested: Fallout of Deadly Gen Z Protests Intensifies
In a dramatic turn of events that has shaken Nepal’s political landscape, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was taken into custody on Saturday morning. The arrest comes months after the country witnessed one of its deadliest youth-led uprisings in recent history.
In a dramatic turn of events that has shaken Nepal’s political landscape, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was taken into custody on Saturday morning. The arrest comes months after the country witnessed one of its deadliest youth-led uprisings in recent history.
The protests, largely driven by Gen Z voices demanding accountability and transparency, erupted last September as anger against corruption reached a boiling point. What began as a movement for change quickly spiraled into violence, leaving 76 people dead in just two days — a tragedy that continues to haunt the nation.
Now, a government-appointed investigation panel has pointed fingers at Oli, accusing him of failing to prevent the escalation. The panel has formally recommended legal action, stating that the former prime minister may have been negligent during the critical moments when the protests turned deadly.
According to senior leader Min Bahadur Shahi from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), authorities arrived at Oli’s residence early in the morning and took him into custody. Police spokesperson Om Adhikari later confirmed that not only Oli, but also Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, had been detained as part of the ongoing investigation.
The arrest marks a significant escalation in the aftermath of the protests, which had already forced Oli to step down from office amid mounting pressure and public outrage.
Meanwhile, Nepal has entered a new political chapter. Just a day before the arrest, rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah was sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister following his victory in the March 5 parliamentary elections. His rise to power reflects a shift in public sentiment, especially among younger voters who played a crucial role in shaping recent political developments.
As Nepal navigates this turbulent phase, Oli’s arrest sends a clear message — accountability is no longer optional. The coming days are likely to be critical, not just for those involved, but for the future of governance and public trust in the country.
