Kathmandu: The National Human Rights Commission has recommended legal and departmental action against several senior political leaders, security officials, and opposition figures, holding them responsible for alleged human rights violations linked to the violent Gen Z protests of September 8 and 9, 2025.
In a detailed investigation report released on Wednesday, the commission concluded that the then government failed to properly assess the scale and intensity of the protests, a lapse it says contributed to the deaths, injuries, and widespread destruction that followed.
Among those facing recommended action are former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, former home minister Ramesh Lekhak, and former communication and information technology minister Prithvi Subba Gurung. The commission found them responsible for decisions and failures that allegedly led to human rights violations during the protests.
The report also recommends departmental action against Nepal Police Inspector General Dan Bahadur Karki and Armed Police Force chief Narayan Datta Paudel over their handling of security operations during the demonstrations.
In addition, the commission has proposed placing former Nepal Police chief Chandra Kuber Khapung, former Armed Police Force chief Raju Aryal, and former National Investigation Department chief Hut Raj Thapa on a “negative list,” effectively disqualifying them from future appointments or nominations to public office.
The investigation was carried out by a committee led by commission member Lily Thapa. The report also names several senior officials for possible action, including former Deputy Inspector General Om Bahadur Rana, then Senior Superintendent of Police and current DIG Bishwa Adhikari, APF Superintendent Jiban KC, National Investigation Department director Krishna Khanal, and former Kathmandu Chief District Officer Chhabilal Rijal.
Field commanders deployed around Baneshwar and the federal parliament area during the protests have likewise been recommended for action under constitutional provisions relating to human rights violations.
Beyond individual accountability, the commission has also called for broader legal reforms. It has proposed amendments that would allow penalties of up to six months in prison or fines of up to Rs 300,000 for serious violations connected to such incidents. The report further recommends the establishment of a special court dedicated to handling cases involving human rights abuses and protest-related violence.
The commission’s report has also widened the scope of scrutiny to include leaders and lawmakers from the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
According to the report, action has been recommended against party chair Rabi Lamichhane, party spokesperson Manish Jha, and secretariat member Hari Dhakal under Recommendation 14 (d) of the commission’s findings.
The commission has additionally recommended investigations into several other RSP lawmakers and leaders, including Ganesh Karki, Sulabh Kharel, Bablu Gupta, Krishna Karki, Toshima Karki, Rajiv Khatri, KP Khanal, Deepak Bohara, Jwala Sangraula, Purushottam Yadav, Sudhan Gurung, and Ashika Tamang.
The report states that investigators should determine whether any of the individuals were directly involved in the violence and destruction during the protests, whether their public statements contributed to unrest or incited demonstrators, and whether their actions disrupted public order.
At the same time, the commission stressed that all those named in the report must be guaranteed the right to a fair hearing before any legal action is taken.
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