March 28, Kathmandu – Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has been arrested. An official from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office confirmed the arrest and stated that Lekhak is being brought to the Bhadrapur Police Complex.
He was apprehended a short while ago from his residence in Katunje, Bhaktapur. “We are escorting him to the police complex,” the officer added.
Following the formation of the new government, the Cabinet decided to implement the report prepared by the investigation commission headed by Gauribahadur Karki.
Subsequently, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung held continuous discussions overnight with chiefs of security agencies.
The police had been awaiting an official written order from the government.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Law was also summoned to the Police Headquarters in Naxal around midnight.
The commission, which investigated the suppression of the people’s war movement in September 2006 (23-24 Bhadra), submitted its findings to the interim government led by Sushila Karki.
The former Prime Minister Karki had decided to release the report publicly. However, the government has yet to officially publish the report.
Several sections of the report have already been leaked to the media.
Meanwhile, an arrest warrant has also been issued for UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli. The report recommended criminal investigations against then-Prime Minister Oli, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and then-Police Chief Chandra Kuber Khapung.
The inaugural meeting of the new government on Friday resolved to immediately implement the commission’s recommendations.
Since then, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has been engaged in ongoing consultations with top security officials.
After continuous discussions that extended past midnight without agreement, Law Secretary Parashwar Dhungana was called to the police headquarters.
He left the meeting and prepared the written order. Following this, the police prepared the necessary arrest warrants and are moving to detain both Oli and Lekhak.
Action has been recommended under Sections 181 and 182 of the National Criminal Code.
These sections pertain to criminal liability for causing death through negligence and misconduct. The commission cited both sections in its recommendation for action.
