Commission Recommends Travel Restrictions on Oli, Lekhak and Three Others

The Inquiry Commission probing the incidents that occurred during the Gen Z-led protests of September 8–9 has recommended travel restrictions on five senior figures, including former Prime Minister and CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

In a statement issued Sunday, September 28, the Commission said it decided to recommend authorities concerned to make arrangements for restricting Oli, Lekhak, former Home Secretary Gokarnamani Duwadi, former National Investigation Department chief Hutraj Thapa, and former Chief District Officer of Kathmandu Chhabilal Rijal from travelling abroad.

The statement added further that authorities bar them from leaving the Kathmandu Valley without prior approval, as they may be required to appear before the Commission at any time.

What began as a youth-driven campaign against corruption and the government’s ban on over two dozen social media platforms quickly escalated into a nationwide uprising. Demonstrators, largely students and young professionals, directed their fury at then Prime Minister Oli and leaders of major political parties.

The heart of the capital became a battleground. Outside the Federal Parliament building, protesters ripped through police barricades and attempted to storm the premises. Security forces responded with water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition.

By the evening of September 8, the death toll from the Generation Z-led protests had climbed to 19, marking one of the bloodiest crackdowns in Nepal’s history. Seventeen people were killed as police opened fire on demonstrators in Kathmandu’s New Baneshwar area, while two more lost their lives in Sunsari’s Itahari, where protesters set fire to the Sub-metropolitan City office.

Although Home Minister Lekhak resigned that same evening and the government revoked the social media ban, public anger only deepened. On September 9, defying curfew orders, mobs—reportedly infiltrated by various groups—went on a rampage, torching public and private property. Targets included the homes of politicians, government buildings, courts, police stations, media houses, Bhatbhateni supermarkets, hotels, and vehicle showrooms.

Oli stepped down as nationwide demonstrations intensified and had to be evacuated from Baluwatar, the Prime Minister’s official residence, under Nepal Army protection. Cabinet members and senior political leaders were also airlifted to Army barracks for safety.

The death toll has since climbed past six dozen, with many more still receiving treatment in hospitals.

On September 12, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as interim Prime Minister with a mandate to conduct elections within six months. Acting on her recommendation, President Ram Chandra Paudel dissolved Parliament.

Three days later, on September 15, the new Cabinet—comprising freshly appointed Energy, Home, and Finance ministers—decided in principle to establish a judicial inquiry commission to investigate the crackdown and destruction during the protests.

The government formally constituted the Commission on September 21 under the leadership of former Special Court chair Gauri Bahadur Karki. Its members include former Nepal Police DIG Bigyan Raj Sharma and legal expert Bishweshwor Prasad Bhandari. The body has been given a three-month mandate.

On Sunday, the Commission also resolved to request the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide additional human resources to strengthen its capacity and ensure effective execution of its duties.

(With inputs from RSS)