Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli Arrested Over Human and Material Losses During 'Jyanji' Protests

Kathmandu. Former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has been arrested for the human and material damages caused during the 'Jyanji' protests on Bhadra 23 and 24.

Immediately after the formation of the new government on Friday, the first cabinet meeting decided to implement the report of the Investigation Commission led by Gauribahadur Karki. Consequently, Oli was taken into custody on Saturday morning after being served an urgent arrest warrant at his private residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur.

The investigation commission's report leveled serious allegations of 'criminal negligence' and 'carelessness' against the then Prime Minister Oli. According to the report, Oli, in his capacity as the executive head, made no effective effort to control the situation or order a 'ceasefire' even when security forces fired indiscriminately for nearly four hours in Baneshwor on Bhadra 23, resulting in the death of dozens of youths.

The commission concluded that the Prime Minister's decision to call a National Security Council meeting only at 10 PM, even when major human casualties had occurred by 1 PM and hospitals were already full of the injured, confirmed his extreme apathy. The commission recommended that the government investigate and prosecute Oli under Sections 181 (1) and 182 of the Muluki Criminal Code, 2074.

Previously, in his statement before the commission, Oli had refuted the allegations against him. He claimed that he had directed security agencies to minimize damage to public property, asserting that the command and detailed responsibility for the field lay with the Home Ministry.

His argument was that the violent activities during the demonstration were carried out not by 'Jyanji' youths but by infiltrating groups, and that the youths' own statements confirmed their demands had been 'hijacked.' During his testimony, Oli stated that he had already resigned on Bhadra 24 and that the technical questions regarding the incidents should be answered by the relevant security officials. He also raised the issue of the arson attack on his house in Jhapa, questioning why the commission did not focus on those carrying out destructive acts.

However, the commission did not accept Oli's arguments. The conclusion was that it was his constitutional duty as the executive head of the state to protect the citizens' 'right to life,' but by remaining silent during excessive use of force, he provided indirect support. The report held Oli 'accountable' because he failed to formulate an effective strategy to prevent potential risks on Bhadra 24 following the Bhadra 23 incident and did not declare the riot-affected areas in time, leading to widespread looting and arson across the country.

Oli is also accused of obstructing the investigation by not providing clear answers to the questions posed by the commission.

Following the new government's priority implementation of the report submitted by the commission led by Gauribahadur Karki, both former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and former Prime Minister Oli have been taken into police custody.

The police are preparing to proceed with further legal action against Oli and Lekhak under the Muluki Criminal Code.