Himal Hub / The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has stated that it will soon recommend action against those found responsible for incidents that occurred during the Gen Z protests. The Commission said its internal preparations for the report are now in the final stage.
NHRC spokesperson Prakash Pokharel said that individuals found guilty during the investigation will be recommended for legal action, and the report will also be made public for transparency.
He clarified that the Commission does not submit reports directly to the government as its mandate is not to do so. “We make recommendations to the government, and in cases of special investigations, we also publish reports for public awareness,” he said.
Findings and Investigation Scope
The Gen Z protests, held in Kathmandu on September 8–9 (Bhadra 23–24), were demanding an end to corruption and the establishment of good governance. The protests turned violent, resulting in the deaths of 76 people.
The NHRC formed a special investigation committee led by member Dr. Lilly Thapa to examine human rights violations during the protests. The team conducted field investigations in 45 districts through provincial offices and monitored all 77 districts nationwide. Hundreds of CCTV footages were also forensically analyzed.
According to sources, the committee has prepared a report recommending action against several high-level officials, including then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, then Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and Chief of Army Staff Ashokraj Sigdel, among others involved in the National Security Council.
The report reportedly concludes that the National Security Council failed to effectively carry out its responsibilities during the crisis. The Council is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes the Defense Minister, Home Minister, Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, Chief Secretary, and Army Chief as members.
Allegations and Conclusions
The report is said to have identified multiple officials as responsible for human rights violations and recommended legal action under the NHRC Act and other applicable laws.
During the investigation, statements were recorded from several senior officials including then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, former Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, Nepal Police Chief Chandra Kuber Khapung, and Armed Police Force Chief Raju Aryal.
Statements were also taken from former Home Minister and RSP chairman Rabi Lamichhane, Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah, and artists Deepak Raj Giri and Nischal Basnet.
The report further states that the security response lacked proper coordination, with excessive and indiscriminate use of force, including lethal weapons, instead of a controlled and phased response.
Additional Findings
The NHRC also examined the role of protest leaders and organizers, including pre-protest planning activities. Investigators reviewed social media content, including messages on platforms such as Discord, where users allegedly shared instructions on making explosives and mapping locations of political leaders and business figures.
Post-mortem reports of most victims showed gunshot wounds above the waist, according to sources.
Related Inquiry Commission
Earlier, the interim government led by Sushila Karki had formed a separate commission headed by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki to investigate the incidents. That commission had also recommended criminal action against then Prime Minister Oli and Home Minister Lekhak.
Following the elections and formation of a new government led by Balen Shah, Oli and Lekhak were released 13 days after their detention on March 14.
