Kathmandu — Families of victims and Gen-Z activist Sudan Gurung filed a police complaint against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, accusing them of responsibility for police suppression during the Gen-Z movement. But the complaint, which had been sent to an inquiry commission for review, has now been returned, with the commission saying the case falls outside its jurisdiction.
The Kathmandu Police Office had forwarded the complaint to a panel led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki to look into incidents that occurred on August 23 and 24. On October 23, the commission sent it back to the police, clarifying that it does not have the authority to conduct criminal investigations.
Meanwhile, UML Chairperson Oli, speaking at a party event in Bhaktapur, dismissed the Karki-led commission as “fake” and said his party would not recognize it. Coincidentally, the complaint against him was returned to the police on the same day he made that remark.
Government and Police in Legal and Political Dilemma
As security agencies continue advising the government to act cautiously, the commission’s decision has sparked internal discussions within the Home Ministry and the police leadership on what to do next.
According to sources, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, and heads of security agencies recently held meetings where they warned that arresting Oli and Lekhak immediately could heighten political tension and potentially lead to clashes.
Police officials say the complaint is complicated and that they are currently taking legal advice. Kathmandu Police Spokesperson Superintendent Pawan Bhattarai said, “The complaint against the former prime minister and home minister has been returned. We are taking legal advice on how to proceed.”
Legal experts note that the police are allowed to consult the Office of the Attorney General in such cases. If the matter appears impractical after consultation, the law also permits the police to keep the complaint on hold.
Pressure Mounts as Security Agencies Urge Caution
At the same time, Gen-Z supporters have filed another complaint demanding Oli’s arrest, while the UML student wing (ANNFSU) has submitted a separate complaint calling for the arrest of Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah. Police have yet to clarify how they will handle the two opposing complaints.
Sources say Home Minister Aryal favors taking legal action against Oli and Lekhak to address rising pressure from Gen-Z activists and victims’ families. However, security officials have advised him to move carefully, warning that arrests based solely on protest suppression could make the situation worse.
Officials also cautioned that with the election date already announced and the inquiry commission’s report still pending, immediate arrests could trigger unrest and create security challenges. They have suggested that the government focus on keeping conditions calm and stable to ensure the election takes place smoothly.
