District Court Approves Extension of Detention for Oli and Lekhak

The District Court of Kathmandu has extended the detention period for former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak by five days. The Supreme Court deemed the request for detention extension to be valid and granted the additional five-day period. Oli and Lekhak were arrested and presented to the District Court on charges of criminal conspiracy following the events of the protest on Bhadra 23.

The bench of Judge Anand Kumar Shrestha in the District Court considered the request for a necessary arrest warrant as legitimate and supported it. The court ordered the extension of detention for five days, effective from the initial date. The Supreme Court’s order states, “Since the request for detention of Oli and Lekhak appears valid, permission is granted to detain them for an additional five days to complete necessary procedures.”

The police had requested the extension to record statements from the accused, collect details from other individuals involved in the incident, and review the Karki Commission’s report. The extension period will start counting from Saturday morning. After the five days conclude, the police must present Oli and Lekhak again in court. The protest on Bhadra 23 resulted in the deaths of 19 people.

The Karki Commission recommended action against former Prime Minister Oli, Home Minister Lekhak, Inspector General of Police Khapung, Kathmandu SSP Bishweshwar Adhikari, Home Secretary Gokarn Mani Duwaadi, and Chief District Officer Chhabi Rizal for neglecting the suppression of the JNU movement, causing damage to public property, and criminal negligence. The Cabinet decided to form another committee to study the security agencies and proceed based on its conclusions.