The inquiry commission probing the use of force and incidents of violence during the Gen Z protests in September has lifted the travel ban imposed on Ramesh Lekhak, who was the home minister at the time.

The commission decided on Thursday, allowing Lekhak to leave the Kathmandu Valley and travel abroad without prior approval.

The commission had earlier barred then prime minister KP Sharma Oli, Lekhak, former inspector general of police Chandra Kubar Khapung, then home secretary Gokarnamani Duwadi, then Kathmandu chief district officer Chhabilal Rijal, and former National Investigation Department chief Hutaraj Thapa—from foreign travel and leaving Kathmandu Valley while it investigated the deadly crackdown and subsequent destruction during the Gen Z uprising on September 8-9.

A directive issued on October 12 had further restricted them from leaving the Valley without permission.

Travel bans on the former home secretary, former IGP and former Kathmandu CDO were earlier lifted after recording their statements.

Meanwhile, the commission is preparing to summon former prime minister Oli to record his statement with regard to use of force during the Gen Z protests. Speaking to reporters after meeting Prime Minister Sushila Karki at Singha Durbar on Thursday, commission chair Gauri Bahadur Karki said a letter summoning the UML chair Oli was being finalised.

The commission has already recorded Lekhak’s statement over two days—Monday and Wednesday. The panel plans to give the former prime minister around a week’s notice, and officials said a questionnaire for him has already been drafted.

The government on September 21 formed the inquiry commission led by former judge Karki to investigate killings of protesters, injuries and widespread destruction during the September Gen Z protests.