Kathmandu, March 8 (NationPress) The investigative panel in Nepal examining the September Gen Z protests and their aftermath, which reportedly resulted in over 70 fatalities and contributed to the ousting of the K. P. Sharma Oli administration, has finally delivered its report to interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Sunday.

Initial reluctance existed within parts of the current government regarding the acceptance of this extensive report, which spans 1,000 pages and was prepared by a three-member committee led by retired Supreme Court Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki.

Previous media reports indicated that the government might hesitate to release the report prior to the March 5 election.

“The findings and recommendations from the commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki are deemed vital. Leaders from established parties caution that if the report is made public before the elections and implicates candidates, it could sway the electoral process. Given that the election code of conduct is already in effect, the Election Commission has the authority to advise the government on this matter,” stated The Kathmandu Post last month.

Interestingly, the government established the commission on September 21, initially granting it a three-month period for its work, which was later extended by an additional 20 days. A report from early February had cited two unnamed ministers expressing that, although not formally discussed, the government was hesitant to acknowledge the report before the upcoming elections.

Despite pressure from human rights organizations and Gen Z advocates, the interim government, following the Election Commission's guidance, opted to accept the report only post-election. Concerns were raised regarding influential figures possibly being implicated in the report, which could impact the electoral process.

The commission reportedly interviewed approximately 200 individuals and consulted with experts before finalizing its report, suggesting actions against those found culpable. The statement collection concluded by the first week of February and included notable political figures such as former Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), and former Kathmandu Metropolitan City mayor and prospective PM candidate Balendra Shah, among others.

Commission members also spoke with personnel from security agencies, including the former inspector general of Nepal Police, his successor, the head of the Armed Police Force, the Chief of the Army Staff, and the former head of the National Investigation Department.

The commission's mandate involved investigating and recommending actions regarding all losses incurred during the protests on September 8 and 9; probing the causes; receiving and analyzing information or petitions related to the damages; proposing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future; and presenting a clear action plan for implementing the report's recommendations.

The scope of the investigation was later broadened following a 10-point agreement between Gen Z representatives and the government on November 30.

Even before taking on his role as panel chair, Gauri Bahadur Karki stirred controversy by publicly stating that those responsible for suppressing the Gen Z movement should face accountability; they should be investigated and not evade scrutiny.

“How can someone who has already formed an opinion before the commission's establishment act independently? This question is being raised,” the report added.

The release of the report may lead to backlash from specific groups against individuals held responsible for the violence, noted a former administrator in Kathmandu. This concern is especially pronounced regarding those implicated in police actions that resulted in the deaths of 17 individuals, including a schoolboy. The former administrator remarked that Gauri Bahadur Karki is a “no-nonsense and aggressive” figure who will not shy away from accountability.