Nepal has imposed travel restrictions on former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and four other high-ranking officials as part of an investigation into the violent unrest that occurred earlier this month, according to the interior minister on Monday.
Protests led by the youth that started on September 8 in response to a temporary social media ban, economic distress, and corruption escalated into nationwide outrage following a deadly crackdown.
Over two days of chaos, at least 73 individuals lost their lives, with parliament and government buildings set ablaze, ultimately leading to the government’s downfall.
In addition to Oli, travel bans have been imposed on former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, former head of the National Investigation Department security agency Hutaraj Thapa, and two other senior bureaucrats.
Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who is overseeing the Himalayan country until elections scheduled for March 2026, has established a commission to investigate the violence.
Commission member Bigyan Raj Sharma said on Sunday that the five individuals must seek permission to leave the Kathmandu Valley since they “may need to appear for investigation at any time.”
The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) estimates that the private sector, which includes the automobile, hotel, and retail sectors, has incurred losses of approximately $600 million.
Former Prime Minister Oli has accused “infiltrators” of provoking violence and claims that the rifles used during the protests originated from another source.
