Nepal’s court orders government to explain the arrest of ex-PM Oli
Nepal's highest court demands answers as hundreds rally for the jailed ex-leader accused of silencing his own people.
Nepal – (Web Desk) – Nepal’s Supreme Court stepped in on Monday, asking the government to explain why former prime minister KP Sharma Oli is behind bars. Oli was picked up in connection with a brutal crackdown during the 2025 protests that ultimately forced him out of power — unrest that left at least 76 people dead.
Outside, the streets told their own story. Hundreds of Oli’s supporters poured out to demand his freedom, chanting and marching — until heavy police lines stopped them from getting any closer to the old parliament building, still scarred from the fires of those violent September days.
“This is nothing but revenge politics,” said Balkumari BK, 37, one of the protesters. “They are going after him out of personal grudge, not justice.”
Oli, now 74, and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak were both taken into custody in early-morning raids on Saturday — just one day after the newly elected Prime Minister Balendra Shah was sworn into office following Nepal’s first elections since the September uprising.
The legal push came when Oli’s wife filed a petition arguing the arrest was unlawful. Responding to that, the Supreme Court sent a formal notice to the government, giving it three days to provide a written explanation.
“The court has asked the government to justify why the former prime minister was arrested,” Supreme Court spokesperson Arjun Prasad Koirala confirmed to AFP.
The arrests followed recommendations from an inquiry commission, which suggested Oli and other officials should face prosecution for failing to stop security forces from firing on protesters.
Oli, who is dealing with ongoing health issues, appeared before the court through a video call from the hospital on Sunday, where a judge approved extending his detention by five days.
The two men were arrested over their alleged involvement in the protest crackdown. Neither has been charged, and both deny responsibility for the violence.
The commission report said statements given by Oli and Lekhak, claiming ignorance of the violence, were an attempt to shift responsibility and amounted to “criminal negligence”.
It recommended that they be investigated under a law that deals with death caused by recklessness.
Ex-energy minister Deepak Khadka was also detained on Sunday in a money laundering investigation, police said.
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The unrest in September 2025 began over a brief social media ban, but tapped into longstanding fury over economic hardship.
It spread nationwide the following day as parliament and government offices were set ablaze, resulting in the collapse of Oli’s government.
“We will continue our protest, but we will proceed legally,” said Baburam Thapa, 63, a protester calling for Oli’s release.
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