NHRC Recommends Action Against KP Oli, Ravi Lamichhane, 17 RSP Lawmakers and Former Security Chiefs Over Bhadra Gen Z  Protest Violence

Kathmandu-Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recommended legal action against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, former security chiefs, and an investigation into Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Ravi Lamichhane along with 17 party lawmakers over their alleged roles in the violent Bhadra youth protest movement.

The commission stated that Ravi Lamichhane and several RSP lawmakers should face detailed investigation over suspected involvement in vandalism, looting, arson, and other acts targeting public and private property during the protests. The NHRC also said Lamichhane’s release from Nakkhu prison during the unrest could amount to a criminal offense under Section 49 of the Prison Act, 2022.

RSP lawmakers Manish Jha and Hari Dhakal have also come under scrutiny for allegedly assisting in Lamichhane’s release from prison. The report further stated that the protests turned violent after Sudhan Gurung assumed leadership of the movement, recommending further investigation into his role as well.

Other RSP lawmakers recommended for investigation include Ganesh Karki, Sulabh Kharel, Bablu Gupta, Krishna Karki, Dr. Toshima Karki, Rajiv Khatri, Som Sharma, KP Khanal, Deepak Bohara, Jwala Sangraula, Purushottam Yadav, Ashika Tamang, and Shiva Yadav.

The recommendations were made public in a summary report prepared by an investigation committee led by NHRC Commissioner Lily Thapa regarding the incidents that took place during the Bhadra 23–24 Gen Z protests. The NHRC has also recommended that former Nepal Police Inspector General Chandra Kubera Khapung, former Armed Police Force chief Raju Aryal, and former National Investigation Department chief Hutaraj Thapa be barred from holding future public office. The commission further recommended legal action against them under Article 249(2)(g) of Nepal’s Constitution.

Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and former Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung have also been recommended for legal action under the same constitutional provision.Similarly, the commission recommended departmental action against then-APF AIG Narayan Prasad Poudel and Nepal Police officer Dan Bahadur Karki, both of whom currently serve as chiefs of their respective organizations.

Additional departmental action has also been recommended against Nepal Police DIG Om Bikram Rana, SSP Bishwo Adhikari, APF SP Jeevan KC, former National Investigation Department director Krishna Khanal, and former Kathmandu Chief District Officer Chhabilal Rijal.

The commission stated that field commanders from Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, and the National Investigation Department deployed in Baneshwor and around the Parliament building during the protests had committed human rights violations and should face departmental action.The NHRC further noted that Nepal currently lacks a dedicated law to prosecute human rights violators and urged the government to formulate such legislation.However, RSP lawmakers have rejected the allegations, arguing that they participated in the movement only to support protesters and assist in rescue and medical treatment efforts for injured demonstrators.