---
title: "Nepal Inquiry Finds Ex-PM Oli, Top Officials 'Reckless' in Deadly Youth Uprising; Leak Sparks Outcry"
date: 2026-03-26
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/nepal-probe-oli-negligence-uprising/
categories:
  - "Politics"
  - "World"
tags:
  - "Gauri Bahadur Karki"
  - "K.P. Sharma Oli"
  - "Nepal"
  - "Ramesh Lekhak"
  - "youth uprising"
---

# Nepal Inquiry Finds Ex-PM Oli, Top Officials 'Reckless' in Deadly Youth Uprising; Leak Sparks Outcry

A high-level inquiry in Nepal has held former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli and senior government officials responsible for criminal negligence over the shootings that killed 76 people during last year’s youth uprising, and a leaked copy of the report has provoked criticism for exposing sensitive findings.

## What Happened

The committee, led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, concluded that senior officials acted with criminal negligence in their response to the unrest, which saw security forces fire on protesters and resulted in 76 deaths. According to the leaked report published by a local outlet, the panel recommended investigation and prosecution of former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli, his home minister Ramesh Lekhak, and a former inspector.

The leak of the committee’s findings to the local press prompted immediate criticism because of the report’s sensitive nature. The disclosure has amplified tensions around the inquiry and raised questions about how such investigations are handled and communicated to the public.

## Background

The shootings occurred during a youth-led uprising last year that left dozens dead. The probe was established at a high level to examine the government’s conduct and chain of command during the unrest. Gauri Bahadur Karki, a former judge, chaired the committee tasked with producing the report and issuing recommendations based on its findings.

Both K.P. Sharma Oli and Ramesh Lekhak are prominent figures in Nepalese politics: Oli served as prime minister, and Lekhak held the home affairs portfolio at the time of the events under review. The committee’s conclusion of criminal negligence represents a severe rebuke for senior officials who oversee public security and internal order.

## Why It Matters

The committee’s recommendation to investigate and prosecute top officials marks a significant step in seeking accountability for a violent crackdown that cost many lives. If authorities act on those recommendations, it could lead to criminal proceedings against high-level political figures — a development with deep political and legal implications in Nepal.

The leak itself is consequential. Releasing sensitive investigatory findings to the public can undermine due process, inflame public sentiment, and complicate the prospect of fair legal proceedings. It also raises questions about the protection of confidential materials in politically charged inquiries.

Beyond Nepal’s borders, the case underscores broader issues about state use of force, civilian oversight of security agencies, and how democracies investigate alleged abuses. For Nepal, the inquiry and any subsequent actions will shape public trust in institutions and could influence the country’s political landscape in the months ahead.