Nepal’s ex-PM Oli, former home minister Lekhak freed on bail after Gen Z protests case

Nepal’s former prime minister K P Sharma Oli and ex-home minister Ramesh Lekhak were released from custody on Thursday on personal recognisance bail, ending a 13-day detention that drew national attention.

Oli, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) , and Lekhak, a senior leader of the Nepali Congress , were arrested last month following allegations of their involvement in suppressing the Gen Z protests of September 8–9 last year, during which 76 people lost their lives .

The Supreme Court had set a clear deadline for authorities. On Monday, a joint bench of Justices Binod Sharma and Sunil Kumar Pokharel instructed that the investigation against the two leaders be completed by Thursday or they must be released. Acting on the order, authorities freed both leaders under the condition that they remain available for questioning when required, Kathmandu Police spokesperson Pawan Kumar Bhattarai confirmed.

Oli, 75, was handed over to his wife Radhika Shakya , while 62-year-old Lekhak was received by his wife Yashoda Lekhak . Shortly after his release, Oli took to social media, stating: “I have finally been released after 13 days of prejudiced and revengeful detention by the authorities. I have been freed in the absence of a proper ground and proof to move a legal case against me.”

Their arrests followed the decision of the Balendra Shah-led government to act on the findings of a probe commission established during the interim government under Sushila Karki . The commission had recommended legal action against Oli and Lekhak, holding them accountable for the deaths during the Gen Z protests.

The release marks a critical moment in Nepal’s political landscape, as investigations continue and the nation watches closely how the case unfolds.