Police have arrested former prime minister KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress leader and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak in connection with a culpable homicide-related case linked to the alleged suppression of the September Gen Z protests.

Oli was taken into custody from his residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, on Saturday morning. Lekhak was arrested earlier the same morning from his residence in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur, around 5am, his personal secretary Janak Bhatta said.

The arrests follow a formal complaint filed by the Home Ministry, which triggered an investigation and led to the issuance of arrest warrants.

Police officials said the action is being carried out to implement recommendations made by a commission led by former Special Court judge Gauri Bahadur Karki.

The commission has recommended that Oli, Lekhak and then Inspector General of Police Chandra Kuber Khapung be charged under Sections 181 and 182 of the National Penal Code for criminal negligence, with a proposed prison sentence of up to 10 years.

The report also recommends action against then-home secretary Gokarna Mani Dawadi, Armed Police Force chief Raju Aryal, former head of the National Investigation Department Hutaraj Thapa, and then-chief district officer of Kathmandu Chhabi Rijal, suggesting prosecution under Section 182 of the code.

It further recommends that other officials found responsible be dealt with under the respective laws governing their organisations.

In the case of Nepal Police Additional Inspector General and current Inspector General Dan Bahadur Karki, the report suggests a formal reprimand, which legal experts say could affect future promotions.

Similarly, Armed Police Force official Narayan Dutta Poudel, who is in line for future leadership, has also been named for such a reprimand, which could impact his promotion prospects if implemented.

The report attributes the crackdown to criminal negligence and recklessness, citing failure to act on prior intelligence about possible escalation that led to multiple deaths.

During the youth-led protests, a total of 77 people were killed, while government and private property worth billions were destroyed.

Teams from the Bhaktapur District Police Range and the Kathmandu Valley Police Office were mobilised for the high-profile arrest, while security was tightened across the Kathmandu Valley. Home Secretary Raj Kumar Shrestha and Law Secretary Parashwor Dhungana visited Police Headquarters late Friday after police sought a written order to proceed.

Home Minister Sudan Gurung held discussions with security chiefs until midnight on Friday ahead of the arrests.

A Cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Friday decided to implement the commission’s report, paving the way for legal action against those named.