Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak Arrested in Connection with Past Protests

Kathmandu. Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has been arrested by the police. A team from the Metropolitan Crime Investigation Office, with the assistance of the Armed Police Force, arrested Lekhak from Katunje, Bhaktapur, at 5:40 AM on Saturday, according to a high-ranking police official who spoke to Ratopati.

Lekhak was serving as the Home Minister during the demonstrations held on Bhadra 23. On that day, following the deaths of teenagers from police firing in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu, he resigned from his post that same evening.

The commission led by Gauribahadur Karki, formed to investigate the protests that occurred on Bhadra 23 and 24, had recommended initiating criminal proceedings against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Lekhak, along with officials from the Central Security Committee.

On Friday, the first meeting of the cabinet led by Balen Shah decided to implement that recommendation. Following this, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung discussed the matter of arresting them with Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki and Inspector General of the Armed Police Force Raju Aryal.

During this process, the police stated that he was taken into custody from his residence in Suryavinayak Municipality-5, Katunje, Manoram Tol, Bhaktapur, on Saturday morning and is being brought to Kathmandu.