Nepal Student Union Condemns Arrests of Oli and Lekhak, Citing Political Vendetta

Kathmandu. The Nepal Student Union (NSU) has strongly objected to the government led by Balendra Shah arresting CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. Issuing a press release on Saturday, the union called the government's move the height of populism and political vendetta.

The NSU concluded that the report by the Gauri Bahadur Karki-led commission, formed to investigate incidents during the Janji movement, was incomplete and biased. Claiming that the report was prepared according to the predetermined views of the commission's chairman, the union clarified that arresting individuals by grouping moral or political responsibility with criminal liability is against the rule of law.

The press release mentioned that the arrests made under the pretext of investigating under Sections 181 and 182 of the Muluki Criminal Code, without a direct causal link, are contrary to the fundamental principles of criminal law. Accusing the government of widely misusing Section 9(6) of the Muluki Criminal Code, the NSU also questioned the accountability for the arson, vandalism, and looting that occurred during the movement.

The press release issued by spokesperson Suraj Sejuwal stated that the cabinet meeting on Chaitra 13, which arbitrarily permitted the arrests, confirms the government's bias. The union opposed the tendency to seek political gain from the sacrifice of martyrs and warned of strong resistance if this decision is not immediately revoked. The NSU concluded that targeting only one side in a partisan manner is not justice but an act that institutionalizes impunity.