The axe fell on former Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli as he was arrested a day after Balen Shah was sworn in as PM. Acting based on formal complaints from the new Home Minister, Sudan Gurung, Oli and former Nepali Congress leader and Home Minister Ramesh Lehkak, were arrested on charges relating to deaths during the suppression of the Gen Z protests last year.
Both were picked up from their respective residences in Bhaktapur early on Saturday morning. Police confirmed they and the Inspector-General of Police, C B Khapung, are being charged with criminal negligence, which could see them jailed for 10 years.
Legality Questioned
Four others were also charged, including the former home secretary and the head of the Armed Police Force. Two senior police officers are expected to be reprimanded, which could affect their promotion prospects.
The Kathmandu Post reports that the defence lawyers of Oli and Lehkak have questioned the legality of the arrests, pointing out they was no danger of them leaving the country. They are expected to seek judicial redress, which, if given, could see both released. Under Nepali law, they can be kept in custody for 25 days.
The defence team is expected to make the case about the arrest, that neither with Oli nor Lehkak is there any proof of direct involvement in the use of lethal force in the protests in Nepal. There’s no evidence of Oli’s cabinet giving any such order.
Balen Under Pressure
Meanwhile, a cabinet meeting has decided to set up a task force to study the recommendations of the commission that probed the Gen Z protests. Those pertaining to the role of security agencies will be implemented soon.
Balen is under pressure to make the findings of the report public. This could be his first major test since, until now, prevailing political culture has ensured one politician protects the other. Balen will have to make a clear break from this since his credibility is at stake.
The other test for him will be his equation with Rabi Lamichhane, the head of the RSP. It is expected that Balen will lead the government and Lamichhane the party. How smoothly this works may be known before long.
