Home Minister Sudhan Gurung Announces Release of Five VIPs Initially Detained in Public Crackdown
According to recent reports, during Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s tenure, five VIPs, including former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, who were arrested in connection with the suppression of the Janajati movement, have been released. Home Minister Sudhan Gurung publicly shared this update on Facebook. Kathmandu, 26 Chaitra. Almost immediately after assuming office, Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s administration began a high-profile series of arrests. Initially, former PM KP Sharma Oli and ex-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were detained on charges of suppressing the Janajati movement. The District Administration Office arrested them on 14 Chaitra, a day after the new government was formed.
As the number of VIP arrests increased, Home Minister Gurung frequently updated the public by posting detailed arrest information and warrants on Facebook. According to Gurung, five such VIP detainees have since been released. Oli was freed on Thursday morning, with Lekhak also released the same day. Prior to this, three other VIPs had been released. On 17 Chaitra, former Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Shavi Rizal, was released on bail. Rizal had been arrested by a team from the Crime Investigation Office in Sukhimuhan. He was the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu during the Janajati movement and was accused of suppressing the protest on 23 and 24 Bhadra 2079 (September 2022).
The investigation commission, led by Gauribahadur Karki, had recommended disciplinary action against Rizal. However, he was released on the same day he was arrested. Rekha Sharma, a Member of Parliament from Lumbini Province, was also freed after detention. Sharma was arrested on the night of 15 Chaitra before being released on 22 Chaitra. She was accused of keeping a minor girl in her home and forcing her into child labor. The girl claimed she had worked in the MP’s household for six years and had experienced physical abuse. Metropolitan employees, ward representatives, and police conducted an inquiry and even drafted a formal statement at the site.
Due to the complex condition of the girl, the municipal task force rescued her promptly and placed her in a protective shelter. However, no legal case was filed against the MP. Following a decision by the Attorney General’s office dated 16 Jestha 2082 (May 2025), Kathmandu District Court ordered Sharma’s release from custody. Another high-ranking official, Shankar Agrawal, was also released on 22 Chaitra after completing the statement process. He was among those detained in this crackdown.
