Nepal’s interim government, led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, has established a three-member panel to probe the anti-corruption protests that killed 74 people and led to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation. The inquiry will be headed by retired judge Gauri Bahadur Karki and is expected to conclude within three months.
The protests, largely driven by Gen Z activists, initially targeted high unemployment and corruption, but quickly escalated into Nepal’s deadliest movements in decades. Over 2,100 people were injured, and protesters set fire to key government buildings, including the prime minister’s office, the parliament, and the Supreme Court, as well as malls, showrooms, and luxury hotels, linked to politically connected individuals.
Finance Minister Rameshwore Khanal said the panel will investigate the loss of life, property damage, and alleged excesses by both sides. The inquiry aims to identify individuals responsible for setting fires and causing destruction during demonstrations.
Former Prime Minister Oli called for a separate investigation, asserting that police did not fire on protesters under his government and that outsiders had infiltrated the demonstrations. The inquiry aims to hold all parties involved and restore public trust.
