Panel to probe Nepal violence: Interim government forms 3-member team; report in 3 months

Nepal’s interim government led by Sushila Karki set up a three-member probe panel on Sunday to look into the ‘Gen Z’ protests that left 72 people dead and forced the fall of the K P Sharma Oli government.

The panel will be headed by former Supreme Court judge Gauri Bahadur Karki. Its other members are former police officer Bigyan Ran Sharma and legal expert Bishweshwor Prasad Bhandari, home minister Om Prakash Aryal told reporters on Sunday.

Setting up such a body was one of the main demands of the Gen Z group, which led the nationwide protests on September 8 and 9. The commission has been asked to submit its report within three months.


The group has also called for the arrest of former prime minister Oli and then home minister Ramesh Lekhak, blaming them for a police shootout that killed 19 people during the demonstrations on September 8.

In total, at least 72 people, including three policemen, were killed during the violent protests against corruption and the government’s social media ban.

What happened during violence

Protestors stormed Nepal Parliament, blocked roads, burnt tyres and the police responded with tear gas, leading to a clash between both sides.

The unrest escalated when Gen Z protesters stormed Oli’s residence, demanding his resignation. Following the pressure, Oli resigned.

Demonstrators also stormed the homes of several other leaders and set fire to the private residences of Oli and communication minister Prithvi Subba Gurung.

Former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba, a five-time premier, was badly injured after being beaten by a mob. His wife, foreign minister Arzu Rana Deuba, was dragged from her home and assaulted.

Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of former Nepali Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, died after sustaining critical burns when their residence in Kathmandu was set ablaze.