The government has stopped the passports of former prime minister KP Sharma Oli and four other top officials. They are also not allowed to leave the Kathmandu Valley without special permission.
Why this step was taken
This move comes after a judicial commission looked into the Gen-Z protest crackdown. The commission suggested that those in power at the time should not be allowed to travel abroad while the investigation continues.
Who are on the list
The list includes:
- Former prime minister KP Sharma Oli
- Former home minister Ramesh Lekhak
- Former home secretary Gokarnamani Duwadi
- Former chief of national investigation Hutaraj Thapa
- Former Kathmandu chief district officer Chhabi Rijal
The protest that sparked the issue
On 23 Bhadra, police used deadly weapons to control the Gen-Z movement. Nineteen people lost their lives in that incident.
Although Oli denied giving any order to shoot, the home ministry had instructed security forces to stop crowds from reaching the federal parliament building. Later, it was revealed that CDO Rijal gave the direct order to fire.
What the commission found
The commission concluded that Oli, Lekhak, and Rijal could have played a direct role in the crackdown. It did not use the word “passport block” directly, but it warned of risks if they were allowed to travel abroad, leading to the government’s decision.
A legal and political debate
The Passport Act, amended six years ago, allows the state to block passports of people under investigation for crimes like corruption, trafficking, kidnapping, drug smuggling, illegal arms, money laundering, or terrorism.
However, the commission’s recommendation did not clearly cite this law. Because of this, the decision has raised both legal and political debates.
