KATHMANDU: A government-appointed panel in Nepal has recommended the prosecution of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for alleged negligence in failing to prevent deadly violence during anti-corruption protests held in September last year.
The report, released late on Wednesday, comes just two days before rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah is set to be sworn in as the country’s new prime minister following a landslide electoral victory. The protests had played a decisive role in reshaping Nepal’s political landscape, eventually forcing Oli to step down from office.
Panel holds top leadership responsible
According to the panel’s findings, Oli, 74, failed to act despite hours of continuous firing on demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of at least 19 Gen Z protesters on the first day alone. Over the course of two days of unrest, a total of 76 people were killed, and 2,522 others were injured, the report stated. Earlier government estimates had put the death toll at 77. “As the executive head, Oli should be held responsible for anything, good or bad,” the panel noted, underlining the accountability of the highest office in the chain of command.
The report also recommended legal action against then Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and former police chief Chandra Kuber Khapung, holding them equally responsible for the excessive use of force during the crackdown. If prosecuted and found guilty, all three could face prison sentences of up to 10 years. Oli has strongly rejected the panel’s conclusions, calling the report “extremely negligent” and accusing it of engaging in “character assassination and hate politics,” according to local media reports.
Legal experts, however, clarified that the panel’s recommendations do not constitute formal charges. Senior lawyer Dinesh Tripathi emphasised that a criminal investigation must first be conducted before any prosecution can proceed. “This is not a charge sheet. The police must investigate, and only then can the government file a case in court,” he said, adding that the process could take several months. Analysts suggest that the responsibility to act on the panel’s recommendations now rests with the incoming government led by Shah and his Rastriya Swatantra Party. The panel has also called for action against several other officials and security personnel involved in the crackdown.
Meanwhile, families of the victims continue to demand justice, urging the new government to ensure accountability for those responsible for the violence.
