Nepal’s former prime minister KP Sharma Oli and ex-home minister Ramesh Lekhak have been arrested over their alleged roles in a deadly crackdown on protests last year, police said.
Authorities confirmed the arrests were made on Saturday morning, with legal proceedings now set to follow.
The move comes just a day after a new government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah was sworn in following elections held after the 2025 uprising.
The protests in September turned violent, leaving at least 77 people dead, including several young demonstrators, after security forces opened fire during anti-corruption rallies.
The unrest, initially triggered by a brief social media ban, quickly spread across the country, leading to widespread violence, arson attacks on government buildings and the eventual collapse of Oli’s administration.
A government-backed investigation report recommended legal action against Oli and other officials, citing negligence in handling the situation and failure to prevent the use of lethal force.
Newly appointed Home Minister Sudan Gurung said the arrests mark the beginning of accountability, emphasising that no one is above the law.
Officials said the process will continue in accordance with legal procedures as the country moves forward after months of political upheaval.
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