Nepal's apex court orders release of former PM KP Sharma Oli

The court also directed the release of former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak along with Oli. The current detention of the two leaders expires on April 9.

Delivering the order, the apex court dismissed the habeas corpus petitions filed on behalf of both leaders. The petitions had been filed by Oli's spouse, Radhika Shakya and Lekhak's spouse, Yashoda Lekhak.

Both leaders were arrested last month in connection with casualties reported during the Gen-Z protests held on September 8 and September 9, 2025.

On Monday, a joint bench of Justices Binod Sharma and Sunil Kumar Pokharel rejected the petitions.

With the dismissal, the court also issued a directive in the name of the government, ordering that both individuals be released from custody upon the expiry of the latest five-day remand extension granted on Sunday.

Earlier, the Kathmandu District Court had extended its remand for a third time, granting an additional five days effective from April 5. With the completion of this period, both Oli and Lekhak are set to be released on April 9.

Oli and Lekhak were arrested on March 28, in connection with the September 8-9 incidents, for which they remain under investigation.

Protests have continued across Nepal demanding Oli's release. His supporters and party cadres have called for an impartial investigation into the incidents and demanded that the report prepared under the leadership of former Judge Gauri Bahadur Karki be scrapped, alleging bias.

The party has also demanded a fair probe into incidents of vandalism, arson, and looting during the protests, and called for legal action against those involved. It further stressed the need for a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of various non-governmental organisations.

The government has accused Oli and Lekhak in connection with deaths that occurred during the Gen-Z protests, filing charges related to homicide that led to their detention for investigation.

Oli is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital, where doctors say he is dealing with several health conditions. He was admitted after experiencing irregular heart palpitations and has a medical history that includes two kidney transplants. (ANI)