Nepal: Ex-PM Oli, Lekhak Arrested Over 2025 Protest Deaths; Court Hearing Today; UML Protests

Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested on Saturday in connection to a probe into the government's response to anti-corruption protests in September 2025. The arrests follow an inquiry that found negligence by the then-government led to the deaths of 19 young people during the "Gen-Z" protests. The two leaders are scheduled to appear in Kathmandu District Court today, and Oli's party, CPN-UML, has organized protests and an emergency meeting in response. ## Latest Update The CPN-UML has convened an emergency Secretariat meeting to determine their official stance and has announced street protests beginning today. Oli and Lekhak have been taken to the Kathmandu District Police Complex following their arrest based on the recommendations of the inquiry commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki. ## Timeline * **2026-03-28:** Former PM KP Sharma Oli and ex-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested for their alleged involvement in a deadly crackdown on protestors in September 2025. * **2026-03-28:** CPN-UML convened an emergency meeting and announced street protests following Oli's arrest, which they claim is linked to murder charges related to the 2025 protests. * **2026-03-29:** Oli and Lekhak are scheduled to be presented before the Kathmandu District Court today. ## What to Watch * **Court Decision:** The court's decision regarding the detention of Oli and Lekhak will likely influence the level of political tension and potential for further unrest. * **UML Protests:** Monitor the scale and intensity of the UML protests, as they could escalate and destabilize the situation. * **Political Fallout:** The arrests could have significant political ramifications, potentially leading to shifts in alliances and government stability.