Kathmandu — Former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli was arrested on Saturday from his residence in Kathmandu in connection with an investigation into offenses related to loss of life, police said.
Arrest and Legal Process
Senior Superintendent of Police Ramesh Thapa, chief of the Kathmandu District Police Range, confirmed that Oli was taken into custody under a legally issued detention warrant and is being brought to the district police office for further investigation.
Oli’s legal counsel, senior advocate Tikaram Bhattarai, said the warrant states he was detained for investigation into a case involving loss of life. “The warrant specifies that he has been taken into custody for investigation into a case involving loss of life,” Bhattarai said.
Police said Oli will be presented before a court on Sunday to seek remand, as Saturday is a public holiday.
Commission Report and Charges
The arrest follows a Cabinet decision on Friday to implement the findings of an investigation commission led by former justice Gauri Bahadur Karki.
Oli is being investigated under Sections 181 and 182 of Nepal’s National Penal Code (2017), which relate to causing death through negligence and recklessness. The commission had recommended investigation and possible prosecution under these provisions.
The report also recommended investigation and prosecution of former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and former Inspector General of Police Chandrakuber Khapung under the same charges.
Prime Minister Balen Shah’s Cabinet decided to move forward with the implementation of the report, leading to the arrest. Police said further investigation is ongoing.
