The arrest of Nepal’s former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Saturday morning led to protests in the Kathmandu Valley by members of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML), under Oli’s leadership. Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested in connection with cases related to the Gen-Z uprising suppression in September last year. Oli was hospitalized in Kathmandu due to health issues post-arrest.
UML supporters staged protests in Kathmandu following the Central Committee’s decision. Demonstrators set fires to tires and reports from the Gen-Z inquiry commission, which recommended legal action against Oli, Lekhak, and former police chief Chandra Kuber Khapung. Clashes between police and protesters occurred, resulting in injuries to some protesters.
The UML announced that its district committees would hold demonstrations and submit memorandums to Chief District Officer (CDO) offices nationwide. The party expressed readiness for dialogue with political parties, civil society, and the public supporting democracy and the rule of law. Criticizing the arrests as biased and illegal, the UML called for an impartial investigation led by a Supreme Court judge.
Former Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari criticized the arrests as premature, warning of potential long-term consequences and increased instability. Bhandari emphasized the need for a thorough legal process and institutional consultation before implementing inquiry commission reports to maintain public trust in the rule of law and prevent conflict.
