Nepal’s highest court has rejected bail for former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. The court’s decision dealt a significant blow to the two leaders, who are currently in police custody for their alleged involvement in a violent crackdown on protests in 2025 that led to their removal from power.
The Supreme Court’s ruling means that there will be no immediate relief for Oli and Lekhak, who were arrested in early morning raids on March 28, just a day after Balendra Shah took office following the first elections since the uprising in September 2025.
During the hearing of their bail petitions, the court turned down their request for interim release. Justice Meghraj Pokharel, heading a single bench, refused to grant an interim order on a petition filed by Oli’s wife, Radhika Shakya, arguing against his alleged unlawful detention.
While the court issued a show-cause notice to the government to explain the detention, it diminishes the chances of Oli’s immediate release. Oli, who is currently hospitalized for health concerns, appeared before the court via video link.
In a separate ruling, Justice Kumar Regmi rejected the bail plea of Radhika Lekhak and also issued a show-cause notice. As a result, Radhika Lekhak will remain in custody for at least five more days, following an earlier order from the Kathmandu District Court. He is currently detained at the Police Academy.
The arrests are linked to the findings of an inquiry commission into the 2025 unrest, which led to Oli’s government collapse. The protests, triggered by a temporary social media blackout, escalated into widespread violence fueled by deep economic grievances.
The commission determined that both Oli and Lekhak failed to prevent security forces from using lethal force against demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of at least 76 people. The aftermath saw Parliament and multiple government buildings being set ablaze, with the scars of the violence still visible on the old Parliament building.
The court’s decision coincided with hundreds of protesters gathering to demand Oli’s release on Monday. Chanting “Release KP Oli” and calling for the dismissal of the commission’s report, the demonstrators were met with heavy police presence preventing them from approaching sensitive areas in the capital.