The government has arrested former prime minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak for investigation into the events that occurred on September 8, 2025.
But former IGP of Nepal Police Chandra Kuber Khapung has not been arrested. According to a decision made on Friday by the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, police have stated that former IGP Khapung will not be arrested immediately.
Police arrested Oli and Lekhak from their residences in Bhaktapur Saturday morning and both have been taken to the Kathmandu District Police Office. The arrests were made following Friday’s Cabinet decision to implement the report of the inquiry commission led by former Judge Gauri Bahadur Karki. The commission's report had recommended investigating and prosecuting Oli, Lekhak, and former IGP Khapung for offenses related to homicide. Although the commission had made this recommendation for all three individuals, only two were arrested in accordance with the Cabinet's specific decision.
The first Cabinet meeting of the Shah government decided to treat political leaders and security officials differently. The Cabinet decided that for the security agencies, a study committee would be formed and action would be taken based on its recommendations, while for others, implementation would proceed as recommended by the inquiry commission.
Nepal Police Spokesperson DIG Abi Narayan Kafle stated that the proceedings are moving forward according to the Cabinet's decision. He told Setopati that they will work to implement the report according to the law and the Cabinet's instructions, noting that the process for security personnel will follow the specific decision made for them. He also requested everyone to maintain restraint and follow the law.
A police officer also mentioned that no one else is currently on the list to be arrested. He explained that regarding the former IGP, a study committee will be formed as per the Cabinet's decision and action will follow its recommendations, and the same appears to apply to the former chief district officer (CDO). Police have issued urgent arrest warrants to investigate former PM Oli and former home minister Lekhak for homicide-related offenses.
The inquiry commission had recommended an investigation under Section 181 of the National Penal Code 2074 for the offense of causing death through a negligent act, and under Section 182 for the offense of causing death through a reckless act. According to the commission's recommendation, the law allows for a person to be kept in custody for up to 25 days for investigation into the specified offenses.
Oli and Lekhak must be presented at the District Court on Sunday for extending their custody. The provision for causing death through a negligent act includes a sentence of three to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 30,000-100,000. Similarly, the provision for causing death through a reckless act includes up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 30,000.
