Kathmandu, Jan 4: Nepal’s former prime minister KP Sharma Oli has provided a statement to a government-appointed commission investigating last year’s violent protests that culminated in the collapse of his administration, officials said on Sunday.
The inquiry relates to a youth-driven uprising in September that left at least 77 people dead and triggered widespread unrest across the country. Oli had earlier declined to appear before the panel, arguing that the body lacked constitutional legitimacy.
Commission spokesperson Bigyan Raj Sharma confirmed that Oli’s statement was obtained after investigators visited his residence to formally serve a summons. Officials have not clarified whether further questioning of the former premier will follow.
The protests erupted after the government briefly restricted access to social media platforms, adding to public anger over prolonged economic stagnation and allegations of deep-rooted political corruption. Demonstrations rapidly escalated, spreading nationwide within two days. On September 9, protesters set fire to parliament and multiple government offices, prompting the downfall of the government.
Oli resigned shortly after demonstrators torched his private residence along with hundreds of other buildings. In his resignation letter, he said his decision to step down was aimed at facilitating a political settlement and easing tensions in the country.
Despite the upheaval, Oli has since been re-elected as leader of the Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and is expected to lead the party into upcoming national elections scheduled for March 5.
Nepal is currently governed by a caretaker administration headed by former chief justice Sushila Karki. One of her first decisions was to establish the commission to investigate the violence. Authorities later imposed travel restrictions on Oli and several former senior officials.
The commission has already recorded statements from key security figures involved during the unrest, including former home minister Ramesh Lekhak, army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel, and former police chief Chandra Kuber Khapung, as the investigation continues.
