Kathmandu, March 25 (NationPress) An investigative commission established to look into the events of last year’s Gen-Z movement in Nepal has called for a criminal probe and prosecution of former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and the then Police Chief Chandra Kuber Khapung.

Heading the commission, Gauribahadur Karki highlighted the negligence and recklessness exhibited by Oli and Lekhak concerning the fatalities of protesters on September 8. The panel has urged actions against them according to the Muluki Criminal Code Act, 2074 (2017). The commission also held the former police chief accountable for authorizing the use of force against demonstrators.

If these individuals are prosecuted based on the commission's recommendations, they could face imprisonment of three to ten years and fines up to NPR 30,000. Although the report has not been officially released, a leaked version has been widely shared. In his testimony to the commission, Oli asserted that security forces were directed to minimize casualties and protect against the intrusion of undesirable elements into the protests.

During the Gen-Z movement, which resulted in the downfall of the Oli-led government, a total of 77 fatalities were recorded, along with property losses exceeding NPR 85 billion, as per government reports.

In the wake of the Oli-led coalition's collapse, a non-political administration under Sushila Karki was established to facilitate the elections for the House of Representatives on March 5. Following the elections, the Rastriya Swatantra Party, spearheaded by prime ministerial candidate Balen Shah, emerged as the dominant party in Parliament, securing nearly a two-thirds majority, while traditional parties such as the Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), and Nepali Communist Party faced substantial defeats.

Just two days prior to the anticipated swearing-in of the new Prime Minister, the commission's report was leaked, likely intensifying pressure on the upcoming government to take decisive action against former officials deemed responsible for the events during the Gen-Z protests.

The commission has also suggested investigations and prosecutions under the Muluki Criminal Code Act, 2074 (2017) against former Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, Armed Police Force chief Raju Aryal, former head of the National Investigation Department Hutaraj Thapa, and former Chief District Officer of Kathmandu Chhabi Raj Rijal for their negligence. If prosecuted, they could face up to three years in prison and fines of up to NPR 30,000.

Additionally, the commission has recommended disciplinary actions against several senior officials within the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and National Investigation Department.