Nepal Bar Association Condemns Government's Decision to Arrest K.P. Sharma Oli and Ramesh Lekhak as Biased and Illegal

Kathmandu. The Nepal Bar Association has deemed the government's decision to arrest former Prime Minister and UML Chairman K.P. Sharma Oli and Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak as completely prejudiced and illegal. Speaking at an interaction program organized in Kathmandu, Bar Association Chairman Dr. Bijay Prasad Mishra asserted that the Council of Ministers does not even have the authority to decide on arresting anyone or filing a case.

He claimed that the Karki Commission's report itself is prejudiced and fragmented, stating that the government acted beyond its jurisdiction under the pretext of implementing it. According to Chairman Mishra, the primary responsibilities of the Council of Ministers are policy decisions, budget mobilization, and maintaining law and order.

He clarified that the legal provision is for the police to conduct a preliminary investigation after a complaint is filed for any criminal offense, and based on that report, the government lawyer decides whether to file a case or not. Mishra stated that having the government issue such a decision through the cabinet indicates political vendetta and an intention to keep people perpetually threatened and cornered.

The Bar concludes that this decision, made by the government by encroaching upon its jurisdiction, challenges the rule of law. Chairman Mishra mentioned that there is no provision to directly implement any commission's report without the court's permission and legal process.

He clearly stated that opening the path for the arrest of specific individuals through the Council of Ministers based on the report is contrary to democratic practice, and such a fragmented report is unacceptable to anyone.