Nepal’s interim government has imposed travel restrictions on ousted Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and four senior officials in connection with deadly protests that shook the country earlier this month.
The move was confirmed on Monday by Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, who said the restrictions were already in effect. The bans follow recommendations from a government-appointed commission investigating the unrest, which left at least 73 people dead and forced the collapse of the previous administration.
The protests, which began on September 8, were initially driven by public anger over a brief social media ban. However, frustrations quickly escalated as demonstrators demanded answers over worsening economic hardship and rampant corruption. The situation spiraled when security forces launched a deadly crackdown, sparking two days of intense violence across the Himalayan nation.
Government offices and the parliament building were torched, adding to the chaos and fueling demands for accountability.
Alongside Oli, the travel bans also target former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, ex-National Investigation Department chief Hutaraj Thapa, and two other senior bureaucrats. According to the commission, all five must seek official clearance even to leave the Kathmandu Valley, as they may be summoned for questioning at any time.
The decision comes under the leadership of Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who assumed office after the government’s collapse. Karki has vowed to oversee a transparent probe and ensure stability until elections scheduled for March 2026.
Commission member Bigyan Raj Sharma emphasized in a statement on Sunday that the restrictions are necessary to ensure cooperation with investigators.
The crisis marks one of Nepal’s most violent episodes in recent years, exposing deep-seated frustrations among its youth population over unemployment, economic mismanagement, and governance failures. As investigations proceed, the travel bans highlight the seriousness with which the interim government is pursuing accountability for the violence.
